Climate Synthesis

A draft of the Synthesis Report for AR5 from IPCC gives the bluntest language yet for where we are at:

Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system.

Without additional mitigation, and even with adaptation, warming by the end of the 21st century will lead to high to very high risk of severe, widespread, and irreversible impacts globally.

Update (August 27):  President Obama is seeking ways to reach a climate agreement without having to get the 67 votes needed in the U.S. Senate for a treaty.   It's pretty disgusting to have a political system where acting responsibly is practically impossible.

Update (August 29):  Republicans are already shouting "tyranny".

Update (November 2):  The Synthesis Report is now released.  According to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,

Science has spoken. There is no ambiguity in their message. Leaders must act. Time is not on our side.

Update (November 3):  More about the report.  Joe Romm calls it "incredibly alarming--while at the same time . . . terrifically hopeful."

Update (November 15):  Gideon Polya describes how AR5 downplays the seriousness of climate change.