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This site is designed to provide a review of Chapter 12 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Working Group I (WGI).  It was developed for a course at University of Colorado Boulder (ATOC7500: IPCC Review). IPCC chapters are lengthy and dense with scientific information and technical language.  Chapter 12 is one of the largest, sporting 108 pages, 46 figures, and 35.5 MB. It describes changes to the climate that are projected for the late 21st century and beyond. In addition to a summary of the key aspects and findings of Chapter 12, this website also provides some insight into policy relevence, and assessment of what's missing or poorly covered, several frequently asked questions related to the material, a glossary of important terms used in the chapter, and links to useful resources related to long-term climate change and the IPCC. Links to these sections can be found in the above header. Many figures from Chapter 12 are included on this website. Unless otherwise noted, figure captions are direct from the IPCC chapter.  Some figures have been anotated to highlight certain features.
  • Long-term projections of climate change have not changed significantly since the last IPCC report despite advances in climate models and in our understanding of the climate system.
  • In general, the changes we observe today will continue over the next century if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. 
    • The global mean surface temperature will continue to increase.
    • We'll experience more hot days and fewer cold days.
    • Dry places will tend to become drier while wet places will tend to become wetter.
    • There will be less sea ice and snow cover in the northern hemisphere.
    • Glaciers and ice sheets will shrink.
    • Oceans will become warmer and more acidic.
    • Sea level will continue to rise.
  • Some climate changes will also vary from region to region.
  • Stablizing the climate will require reductions in greenhouse gases.
    • We can expect more warming and climate change if we reduce emissions less and/or more slowly.
    • Some aspects of the climate system will continue to change even if temperature is stabilized.
  • We are not confident in projecting several aspects of climate change, such as droughts and hurricanes (tropical cyclones).

Purpose of Site: 

Key Results:

 

Meet Charles the Narwhal, the site mascot!

Website Contact:

Alex Crawford (alexander.crawford(at)colorado.edu)

Geography Department

University of Colorado Boulder

 

Disclaimer:

This website is meant as a useful summary and guide. The author is a graduate student in the CU Boulder geography department but is not an expert in climate models or long-term climate predictions.

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