The IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere
September 2019 saw the launch of a pivotal report detailing the latest science on how climate change will affect ocean, coastal, polar and mountain ecosystems, and the human communities that depend on them.
The Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC), published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is the work of more than 100 scientists from over 30 countries.
The report explores past and future changes to oceans and ice. Since 1950:
- Glacier mass, Arctic sea ice, permafrost extent, and ocean oxygen content have all decreased.
- Sea-surface temperature, ocean acidity, and sea level have increased.
These changes will continue until at least 2100 due to climate change. However, by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, the extent of these changes can be reduced.
This report (SROCC) was released ahead of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Cycle report, AR6. It provides a more immediate update on the impacts of man-made climate change on oceans and cryosphere (frozen water such as snow, glaciers, and ice sheets).
As a key scientific contributor to the IPCC process, Met Office science – via papers, data and expertise – have been considered in the latest report.
To mark the launch of SROCC, the Met Office produced three briefing notes on key areas featured in the report where we have contributed significant science advances:
This briefing note looks at what observations tell us about the influence of climate change on sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as what science tells us about the future of the ice.
Sea levels are rising and research shows the rate of increase has accelerated in recent decades. Here we look at research on how much sea level rise we may see this century and further into the future.
This report looks at the threat climate change poses to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which is vital for regulating global climate.