Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Definition

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body established by the United Nations that assesses the scientific knowledge on climate change, its impacts, and potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. The IPCC plays a crucial role in informing global climate policy by synthesizing research findings and providing policymakers with authoritative assessments on the state of climate science.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The IPCC was established in 1988 to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
2. The IPCC releases comprehensive assessment reports every few years, which compile the latest research findings and are authored by thousands of scientists from around the world.
3. One of the key functions of the IPCC is to issue Special Reports that focus on specific issues related to climate change, such as impacts on specific regions or sectors.
4. The IPCC has played a pivotal role in international climate negotiations, including the Paris Agreement, by providing credible scientific evidence to support policy decisions.
5. The work of the IPCC emphasizes the urgent need for global cooperation to address climate change, highlighting that its effects are felt across borders and require coordinated responses.

Review Questions

• How does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change contribute to our understanding of climate science and its implications for global policy?
  • The IPCC compiles extensive scientific research to produce assessment reports that summarize current knowledge on climate change and its potential impacts. By synthesizing findings from thousands of studies, it provides critical information that guides policymakers in addressing climate challenges. This authoritative assessment helps to inform international agreements and national policies aimed at mitigating climate change effects.
• Evaluate the significance of the IPCC's Special Reports in shaping public understanding and governmental response to specific climate issues.
  • Special Reports issued by the IPCC address urgent and targeted issues related to climate change, such as the impacts on biodiversity or economic sectors like agriculture. These reports are significant as they highlight specific vulnerabilities and necessary actions needed to adapt or mitigate these effects. By focusing on particular topics, they help raise awareness among policymakers and the public about critical aspects of climate change that might otherwise be overlooked.
• Analyze how the establishment and findings of the IPCC have influenced international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement and shaped global environmental governance.
  • The establishment of the IPCC marked a turning point in global environmental governance by institutionalizing scientific assessment as a foundation for policy decisions regarding climate change. Its findings provide a rigorous evidence base that underpins international negotiations, including key agreements like the Paris Agreement. By emphasizing shared responsibility and collective action based on scientific consensus, the IPCC has helped shape frameworks for cooperation among nations to combat climate change effectively.

Related terms

Climate Change: A long-term alteration in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

Greenhouse Gases: Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change, including carbon dioxide and methane.

Global Warming: The long-term heating of Earth's climate system due to human activities, particularly the increased levels of greenhouse gases.