On the 27th February 2014, the Royal Society and U.S. National Academy of Sciences published a report examining the evidence and causes of climate change.
It is written as a series of answers to 20 questions and makes a clear statement about the scientific basis of climate change and its uncertainties. The report confirms that humans are changing the Earth’s climate and has generated some media attention.
Overall, the findings of the report reinforce the conclusions of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) published in September 2013.
The report shows that climate change is one of the defining issues of our time, because:
1. It is now more certain than ever, based on many lines of evidence, that humans are changing the Earth’s climate and that the amount and rate of further warming will depend almost entirely on how much more CO2 humans emit.
2. That human activities have raised CO2 levels to concentrations that are higher than they have been in at least 800,000 years.
3. If emissions continue on their present trajectory, then warming of 2.6 to 4.8 °C is expected by the end of the 21st century.
4. Global warming of just a few degrees will be associated with widespread changes in regional and local temperature and precipitation as well as with increases in some types of extreme weather events.
5. The speed of climate change is currently occurring 10 times faster than at the end of an ice age; this is making it more difficult for human societies and the natural world to adapt.
6. A short-term slowdown in the warming of Earth’s surface does not invalidate our understanding of long-term changes in global temperature, as we expect the observed warming rate to vary year-by-year and decade-by-decade due to natural variability.
7. Citizens and governments can choose from among several options in response to the information on this report. Each of these options has risks, attractions and costs.
Backround:
The Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences are two of the most pre-eminent national scientific bodies. This report was written and reviewed by a UK-US team of leading climate scientists.
The publication is intended to serve as a key reference document for decision makers, policy makers, educators, and other individuals seeking authoritative answers about the current state of climate change science.
Further information:
Climate Change: Evidence & Causes
- CBCSD and Members Participated and Suggested on the Project for Technical Regulation on Low-carbon Pilot Community
- CBCSD and Members Participated in the APEC Cooperation Network Construction Forum of Green Supply Chain
- Calculation Method of CO2 Emissions in Petroleum and Natural Gas Exploitation Enterprises & Calculation Method of CO2 Emissions in Water Network of Chemical Enterprises
- CBCSD Attended the Workshop for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development and Delivered Introductions
- WBCSD: Tackling the Challenge, How to Make Informed Choices on Forest Product?
- The National New-Type Urbanization Plan Released, Board Members of CBCSD Help the Sustainable Development of Cities
- Board members of CBCSD Actively Participated in the Carbon Trading and International Climate Change Process
- Two industrial Standards Compiled by CBCSD Passed Examination
- Widespread Use of the Achievements Businesses Energy Saving and Greenhouse Gas Management
- CBCSD held Chemical industry enterprise value chain (range 3) greenhouse gas emissions, accounting and reporting guidelines
