| An increasingly large amount of peer-reviewed | | | | 5. The accelerated melting of the Greenland ice sheet |
| research, published since the IPCC 4th Assessment | | | | that began in the summer of 2004 is conclusively |
| Report was released in 2007, shows that climate | | | | linked to global warming. |
| change is occurring right now, and that it is much | | | | 6. The West Antarctic Ice Shelf (WAIS) has |
| faster than predicted just two years ago. | | | | undergone accelerated melting over the last decade |
| Climate Change Is Happening Now | | | | and has suffered 10 major ice shelf collapses during |
| Climate change is no longer a theory to be debated | | | | that time. |
| or denied. A large amount of scientific research, | | | | 7. Arctic sea-ice is melting much quicker than |
| published in the last two years, shows that it is | | | | previously estimated, and it is likely that the ARctic |
| occurring right now, around the world: | | | | will be ice-free in summer before 2080. |
| 1. Many physical and biological systems, in multiple | | | | 8. The rate of thawing of the northern permafrost is |
| locations, are already showing the effects of climate | | | | much faster than previously thought, and it is |
| change - these include the timing of lake thawing and | | | | releasing much more greenhouse gas (methane and |
| freezing, plant flowering, and animal migration and | | | | carbon dioxide) than expected. |
| breeding. | | | | Warming Will Occur For Centuries |
| 2. Increased sea surface temperatures in Atlantic and | | | | The warming that is now occurring is expected to |
| Pacific Ocean hurricane formation zones (leading to | | | | last for many centuries even after all anthropogenic |
| stronger storms) are significantly linked to | | | | greenhouse gas release stops. This is due to the |
| human-induced warming. | | | | significant inertia that exists in the atmosphere-ocean |
| 3. Ocean acidification is occurring rapidly, due to | | | | system (especially the role of the ocean as a heat |
| carbon dioxide in massive amounts dissolving in | | | | sink), and the slow removal of CO2 from the |
| seawater. This will have major changes on marine | | | | atmosphere (around 25% will remain for > 5000 |
| ecosystems and subsequently food security for | | | | years). |
| many countries, especially island nations. | | | | Summary |
| 4. Projected sea-level rise this century will be greater | | | | It remains to be seen whether humanity can work |
| than that predicted in 2007 - it will probably rise a | | | | together to prevent the worst effects of global |
| metre or more, according to recently published | | | | warming before we reach one or more tipping points |
| research and expert opinion. | | | | that trigger runaway global warming. |