Chapter 01 · Resources
An Introduction to the Climate Problem
Assessment reports, society statements, and background on the IPCC process and the public debate over the science.
Assessment reports
IPCC Sixth Assessment Report
Published 2021. The Summary for Policymakers is the short version.
ipcc.ch ↗
All IPCC reports, 1990–present
Twenty-five years of assessments in one archive.
ipcc.ch ↗
Fifth National Climate Assessment
The U.S. government's own 2023 assessment.
globalchange.gov ↗
The Charney Report
1979. It always amazes me how similar this is to the latest IPCC reports.
nap.edu ↗
Scientific society statements
The IPCC process
The IPCC's reports have had an enormous impact on the policy debate, which is the main reason the IPCC was awarded half of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Because of this, those opposed to action on climate have made bashing the IPCC a prime component in their assault on climate science. This YouTube video is a good example of the arguments they advance. But never forget this: even if you don't accept the IPCC reports, there are many other authoritative statements from other credible organizations that say exactly the same thing.
An insider's view of the IPCC process
John Houghton on the intrigue surrounding the 1995 meeting.
nature.com ↗
Scientists versus diplomats
One of three articles on the conflicts in finalizing the AR5 Summary for Policymakers. See also Science and The Guardian.
economist.com ↗
The public debate over the science
Why we should believe in science
Naomi Oreskes. TED talk, ~19 min.
ted.com ↗
Global Warming's Six Americas
Divides the U.S. population into six segments, each with its own view of the problem.
yale.edu ↗
Climate of Doubt
Frontline documentary on the machinery manufacturing doubt about climate science. If you look closely, you might see a familiar face or two.
pbs.org ↗
Merchants of Doubt
See the corresponding section in the Chapter 13 resources.
chapter 13 →
Further afield
Forecasting for D-Day
J.M. Stagg wrote a book in 1972 about forecasting the weather for D-Day entitled Forecast for Overlord, June 6, 1944. A historical novel on the subject is Turbulence by Giles Foden (2009). They also made a movie about the forecast: Pressure.
Latitude and longitude
The history is fascinating. A good book on this is Longitude by Dava Sobel.
Climate at a Glance
Look up the climate record for your hometown, or anywhere else.
noaa.gov ↗