At-a-glance guide to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report findings on physical science

The document outlines the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report's findings on the physical science of climate change, emphasizing that global warming is primarily caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas increases. It details observed changes in surface temperatures, the water cycle, sea levels, and ocean acidification, while noting that many climate impacts will persist for centuries even if greenhouse gas concentrations are stabilized.

• Evidence indicates that global climate change is primarily driven by human-induced increases in greenhouse gas concentrations, with observed changes across the climate system—including the water cycle, cryosphere, oceans, and regional temperatures—showing consistency with modeled changes.
• Global surface temperatures have risen since the start of the 20th century, increasing by approximately 0.8°C from 1901 to 2010 and 0.5°C from 1979 to 2010, although the rate of warming slowed between 1998 and 2012.
• Global mean sea level is rising unequivocally, with an increase of 1.4 to 2.0 mm per year during the 20th century and 2.7 to 3.7 mm per year since 1993, driven largely by glacier mass loss and ocean thermal expansion.
• Anthropogenic CO2 uptake by oceans has led to a decrease in pH and gradual acidification of seawater.
• Human activities have created a multi-century commitment to climate change, meaning many aspects of the changes will persist for hundreds of years even if greenhouse gas concentrations are stabilized.

APA

Chaudhry, Q. (n.d.). At-a-glance guide to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report findings on physical science. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/story/feature-at-a-glance-guide-to-the-ipccs-fifth-assessment-report-findings-on-physical-science

Chicago

Chaudhry, Qamar. At-a-glance guide to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report findings on physical science. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, n.d. https://cdkn.org/story/feature-at-a-glance-guide-to-the-ipccs-fifth-assessment-report-findings-on-physical-science.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chaudhry |first1=Qamar |title=At-a-glance guide to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report findings on physical science |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |url=https://cdkn.org/story/feature-at-a-glance-guide-to-the-ipccs-fifth-assessment-report-findings-on-physical-science |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chaudhryndataglance, author = {Chaudhry, Qamar}, title = {{At-a-glance guide to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report findings on physical science}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/story/feature-at-a-glance-guide-to-the-ipccs-fifth-assessment-report-findings-on-physical-science}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }