The IPCC released the first part of its much anticipatedSixth Assessment Reporton Aug. 9, 2021.
What are the IPCC reports most important overall messages in your view?
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
These changes are affecting every area of the planet.
Doing so requires getting global carbon dioxide emissions on a downward course that reaches net-zero around or before 2050.
What are scientists most concerned about right now when it comes to the oceans and polar regions?
Since the previous reports, scientists have made substantial advances in modeling the behavior of ice sheets.
But beyond 2050, sea level projections become increasingly sensitive to the worlds emissions choices.
Are the oceans or ice nearing any tipping points?
Tipping point is a vague term used in many different ways by different people.
However, most evidence indicates that such a collapse will not happen in this century.
The Gulf Stream is part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
A slowdown would affect temperature in Europe and sea level rise along the U.S. East coast.
However, the science is pretty clear that there is no critical threshold in this system.
What do scientists know now about hurricanes that they didnt realize when the last report was written?
Theres also evidence that hurricanes in the U.S. are moving more slowly, leading to increased rainfall.
Looking forward, we expect to see hurricane winds and hurricane rains continue to increase.
Its still unclear how the overall number of hurricanes will change.
Does that broad range of views affect the outcome?
Yet knowing about these processes may be crucially important for decision-makers trying to manage risk.
