Table of Contents

Foreword; Preface; Summary for Policymakers; Technical Summary; 1. Historical Overview of Climate Changes Science; 2. Changes in Atmospheric Constituents and Radiative Forcing; 3. Observations: Atmosphic Surface and Climate Change; 4. Observations: Changes in Snow, Ice and Frozen Ground; 5. Observations: Ocean Climate Change and Sea Level; 6. Palaeoclimate; 7. Coupling Between Changes in the Climate System and Biogeochemistry; 8. Climate Models and their Evaluation; 9. Understanding and Attributing Climate Change; 10. Global Climate Projections; 11. Regional Climate Projections; Annex I: Glossary; Annex II: Contributors to the IPCC WGI Fourth Assessment Report; Annex III: Reviewers of the IPCC WGI Fourth Assessment Report; Annex IV: Acronyms; Index.

Promotional Information

IPCC Fourth Assessment Report on scientific aspects of climate change for researchers, students, and policymakers.

Reviews

From reviews of the Third Assessment Report - Climate Change 2001: 'The detail is truly amazing … invaluable works of reference … no reference or science library should be without a set [of the IPCC volumes] … unreservedly recommended to all readers.' Journal of Meteorology

'… structured in the well-established format of all former IPCC Assessment Reports … will surely be the standard reference for … arguments related with the science, the impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, and with mitigation and adaptation to global warming and climate change in the next years. It should not be missing in the libraries of atmospheric and climate research institutes and those administrative and political institutions which have to deal with global change and sustainable development.' Meteorologische Zeitschrift

'… likely to remain a vital reference work until further research renders the details outdated by the time of the next survey … another significant step forward in the understanding of the likely impacts of climate change on a global scale.' International Journal of Climatology

'The IPCC has conducted what is arguably the largest, most comprehensive and transparent study ever undertaken by mankind … The result is a work of substance and authority, which only the foolish would deride.' Wind Engineering

'… the weight of evidence presented, the authority that IPCC commands and the breadth of view can hardly fail to impress and earn respect. Each of the volumes is essentially a remarkable work of reference, containing a plethora of information and copious bibliographies. There can be few natural scientists who will not want to have at least one of these volumes to hand on their bookshelves, at least until further research renders the details outdated by the time of the next survey.' The Holocene

'The subject is explored in great depth and should prove valuable to policy makers, researchers, analysts, and students.' American Meteorological Society

From reviews of the Second Assessment Report - Climate Change 1995: '… essential reading for anyone interested in global environmental change, either past, present or future. … These volumes have a deservedly high reputation.' Geological Magazine

'… a tremendous achievement of coordinating the contributons of well over a thousand individuals to produce an authoritative, state-of-the-art review which will be of great value to decision-makers and the scientific community at large … an indispensable reference.' International Journal of Climatology

'… a wealth of clear, well-organized information that is all in one place … there is much to applaud.' Environment International

'The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a milestone for climate-change science and policy. It concludes that global greenhouse gas emisssions must peak and decline within the next decade to keep the increase of global mean temperature below limits accepted by some parties.' Science