10 August 2021.
Introduction:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently published its sixth assessment report (AR6) titled “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis”. IPCC in its report confirmed that, Indian Ocean was warming at a rate higher than other oceans.
- Highlights:
- According to the authors of AR6 report, warming of Indian ocean will result into rise in sea levels causing more frequent and severe coastal flooding across low-level areas.
- It will also result into intense and frequent heat waves and humid heat stress in the 21st century in South Asia.
- Report highlights, even if the temperature is limited 1.5 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels, extreme weather events will be witnessed.
- Heatwaves, heavy rainfall events, and melting of glaciers is going to happen frequently, impacting countries like India.
- Report warned developed countries to undertake immediate, deep emission cuts and decarbonisation.
About Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- IPCC is an intergovernmental body of UN(United Nations).
- It provides objective scientific information in order to understand human-induced climate change, its natural, political & economic impacts and possible response options.
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNEP(United Nations Environment Programme) established IPCC in 1988.
- It was later endorsed by General Assembly of the United Nations.
Who can be member of IPCC?
Membership to IPCC is open for all the members of the WMO and UN.
Function of IPCC
- IPCC does not carry out original research.
- It does not monitor climate or related phenomena itself.
- However, it conducts a systematic review of published literature and then produces a comprehensive assessment report.