Climate change is a significant and pressing global issue that is affecting our planet in various ways. It refers to a long-term change in the state of the climate that is identified by changes in the mean and variability of its properties and persists for an extended period. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines climate change as a change in climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity and alters the composition of the global atmosphere.
The IPCC:
To provide comprehensive and consensus-oriented scientific knowledge on climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988. The IPCC regularly prepares assessment reports that collect and summarize current global scientific knowledge on climate change, its causes, potential impacts, and response options. In addition, it produces special reports and methodology reports and provides practical guidelines for the preparation of greenhouse gas inventories.
To conclude, Climate change is a complex and multifaceted global challenge that requires urgent and coordinated action from all sectors of society. The IPCC plays a crucial role in providing policymakers and the public with scientific information on climate change and its impacts. The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, released in 2022 and 2023, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on climate change and emphasizes the urgent need for action to mitigate its impacts. It is now up to governments, businesses, and individuals to take bold and ambitious steps to address this global challenge and ensure a sustainable future for all.
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