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The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report is the most comprehensive climate science review ever compiled. Here's what you need to know.
KEY FINDINGS
Human influence on climate is unequivocal. Global surface temperature has increased 1.1°C since 1850-1900. Each of the last four decades has been warmer than any decade since 1850. Extreme weather events have increased in frequency and intensity.
TEMPERATURE PROJECTIONS
Under current policies: 2.7-3.1°C warming by 2100 With all pledges met: 2.4°C warming 1.5°C pathway: Requires 43% emissions cut by 2030
IMPACTS ALREADY OBSERVED
Heat waves 5x more likely than 150 years ago, intense rainfall events increased, glaciers retreating globally, Arctic sea ice declining, sea level rising 3.7mm per year, ocean acidification accelerating, coral bleaching widespread
TIPPING POINTS AT RISK
Amazon rainforest dieback (could flip to savanna), Atlantic meridional overturning circulation collapse (Gulf Stream), West Antarctic ice sheet collapse, Greenland ice sheet loss, permafrost carbon release, boreal forest dieback
ADAPTATION LIMITS
Some impacts now unavoidable even with aggressive mitigation. Need for: resilient infrastructure, water management systems, climate-adapted agriculture, coastal protection, early warning systems, climate migration planning
CARBON BUDGET
To stay under 1.5°C: ~500 GtCO2 remaining (10 years at current rates) To stay under 2°C: ~1,350 GtCO2 remaining (28 years at current rates)
RESOURCES
IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report: ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr IPCC Interactive Atlas: interactive-atlas.ipcc.ch Carbon Brief IPCC Tracker: carbonbrief.org/ipcc Climate Action Tracker: climateactiontracker.org
PATHWAYS TO 1.5°C
Require: Rapid phase-out of unabated fossil fuels, renewable energy reaching 60-70% by 2030, electrification across all sectors, enhanced carbon sinks (forests, soil, ocean), carbon removal technologies at scale, demand-side measures (efficiency, behavior)
REGIONAL IMPACTS
Small islands: Existential threat from sea level rise Africa: Water scarcity, agricultural impacts Asia: Coastal flooding, heat extremes Arctic: 2-3x faster warming than global average Mediterranean: Drought and fire risk increasing
EQUITY AND JUSTICE
Least developed countries contribute <4% of emissions but face worst impacts. Climate finance commitments unfulfilled. Loss and damage funding established but inadequate. Adaptation gaps widening.
SOLUTIONS EMPHASIZED
Renewable energy (solar, wind scaled massively), energy efficiency (40-70% emissions reduction potential), electrification (transport, buildings, industry), nature-based solutions (protect/restore ecosystems), sustainable land use (regenerative agriculture), carbon removal (direct air capture, afforestation)
WHAT INDIVIDUALS CAN DO
Vote for climate action, reduce carbon footprint (diet, transport, energy), divest from fossil fuels, support climate organizations, spread accurate information, demand corporate accountability
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
❌ "Too late to act" - Every fraction of a degree matters ❌ "Technology will save us" - Need policy and behavior change too ❌ "Climate always changed" - Not at this speed or human cause ❌ "Renewables can't work" - Already cheaper and scaling rapidly
DISCUSSION
What IPCC findings surprised you most? How is your region already experiencing climate impacts? What climate actions are you prioritizing?
KEY FINDINGS
Human influence on climate is unequivocal. Global surface temperature has increased 1.1°C since 1850-1900. Each of the last four decades has been warmer than any decade since 1850. Extreme weather events have increased in frequency and intensity.
TEMPERATURE PROJECTIONS
Under current policies: 2.7-3.1°C warming by 2100 With all pledges met: 2.4°C warming 1.5°C pathway: Requires 43% emissions cut by 2030
IMPACTS ALREADY OBSERVED
Heat waves 5x more likely than 150 years ago, intense rainfall events increased, glaciers retreating globally, Arctic sea ice declining, sea level rising 3.7mm per year, ocean acidification accelerating, coral bleaching widespread
TIPPING POINTS AT RISK
Amazon rainforest dieback (could flip to savanna), Atlantic meridional overturning circulation collapse (Gulf Stream), West Antarctic ice sheet collapse, Greenland ice sheet loss, permafrost carbon release, boreal forest dieback
ADAPTATION LIMITS
Some impacts now unavoidable even with aggressive mitigation. Need for: resilient infrastructure, water management systems, climate-adapted agriculture, coastal protection, early warning systems, climate migration planning
CARBON BUDGET
To stay under 1.5°C: ~500 GtCO2 remaining (10 years at current rates) To stay under 2°C: ~1,350 GtCO2 remaining (28 years at current rates)
RESOURCES
IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report: ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr IPCC Interactive Atlas: interactive-atlas.ipcc.ch Carbon Brief IPCC Tracker: carbonbrief.org/ipcc Climate Action Tracker: climateactiontracker.org
PATHWAYS TO 1.5°C
Require: Rapid phase-out of unabated fossil fuels, renewable energy reaching 60-70% by 2030, electrification across all sectors, enhanced carbon sinks (forests, soil, ocean), carbon removal technologies at scale, demand-side measures (efficiency, behavior)
REGIONAL IMPACTS
Small islands: Existential threat from sea level rise Africa: Water scarcity, agricultural impacts Asia: Coastal flooding, heat extremes Arctic: 2-3x faster warming than global average Mediterranean: Drought and fire risk increasing
EQUITY AND JUSTICE
Least developed countries contribute <4% of emissions but face worst impacts. Climate finance commitments unfulfilled. Loss and damage funding established but inadequate. Adaptation gaps widening.
SOLUTIONS EMPHASIZED
Renewable energy (solar, wind scaled massively), energy efficiency (40-70% emissions reduction potential), electrification (transport, buildings, industry), nature-based solutions (protect/restore ecosystems), sustainable land use (regenerative agriculture), carbon removal (direct air capture, afforestation)
WHAT INDIVIDUALS CAN DO
Vote for climate action, reduce carbon footprint (diet, transport, energy), divest from fossil fuels, support climate organizations, spread accurate information, demand corporate accountability
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
❌ "Too late to act" - Every fraction of a degree matters ❌ "Technology will save us" - Need policy and behavior change too ❌ "Climate always changed" - Not at this speed or human cause ❌ "Renewables can't work" - Already cheaper and scaling rapidly
DISCUSSION
What IPCC findings surprised you most? How is your region already experiencing climate impacts? What climate actions are you prioritizing?