IPCC Report on Observed Changes and Impacts on our Climate

Widespread Climate Change Impacts

Human-Caused Climate Change

Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere have occurred due to human-caused climate change. These changes have affected weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe, resulting in widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people (high confidence).

Disproportionate Effects on Vulnerable Communities

Vulnerable communities that have historically contributed the least to current climate change are disproportionately affected (high confidence).

Human Influence on Warming

Increased Sea Level Rise

Global mean sea level increased by 0.20 [0.15–0.25] m between 1901 and 2018. The average rate of sea level rise was 1.3 [0.6 to 2.1]mm yr-1 between 1901 and 1971, increasing to 1.9 [0.8 to 2.9] mm yr-1 between 1971 and 2006, and further increasing to 3.7 [3.2 to 4.2] mm yr-1 between 2006 and 2018 (high confidence). Human influence was very likely the main driver of these increases since at least 1971.

Observed Changes in Extremes

Evidence of observed changes in extremes such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and tropical cyclones, and their attribution to human influence, has further strengthened since AR5. Human influence has likely increased the chance of compound extreme events since the 1950s, including increases in the frequency of concurrent heatwaves and droughts (high confidence).