10 New Insights in Climate Science

For five years now, an initiative of Earth League, Future Earth, and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) has been providing a knowledge synthesis for climate negotiators in preparation of the United Nations Climate Change Summits (COP), compiling the most important scientific findings from climate research of the previous year.

Climate research is multifaceted. Every year, scientists from a wide range of disciplines publish a multitude of new and further-reaching findings on the complex interrelationships between climate, weather and biosphere. Keeping an overview is not always easy. From the IPCC Landmark Reports to the WMO "United in Science" and other publications – the 10 New Insights in Climate Science intend to take up the latest and most essential scientific findings.This summary of current research and its core statements enables climate negotiators to keep abreast of the state of the art climate research. 

2021 edition for COP26 in Glasgow/Scotland

The 2021 edition of the annual horizon scans labelled "10 New Insights in Climate Science" could be launched on site at COP26. 10 highlights were presented, ranging from the benefits of climate mitigation to health, megafires, nature based solutions, to “the” question: is 1.5°C still attainable? PIK Director Johan Rockström and colleagues from Future Earth, the Earth League  and  the World Climate Research Programm (WCRP) presented the “10 New Insights in Climate Science 2021” report with UNFCCC’s Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa.


2020 edition of the 10 New Insights in Climate Science 

Even though COP26 was postponed, the series of annual horizon scans labelled "10 New Insights in Climate Science" has been continued. 10 highlights - identified by an expert elicitation - are presented. They range from improved knowledge about the Earth's sensitivity to carbon dioxide, new understanding of the risks from permafrost thaw and implications of the Covid-19 pandemic to climate litigation. PIK Director Johan Rockström and colleagues from Future Earth, the Earth League  and  the World Climate Research Programm (WCRP) presented the “10 New Insights in Climate Science 2020” report with UNFCCC’s Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa.

2019 edition for COP25 in Madrid/Spain

The pace of contemporary rise in greenhouse gas concentrations is unprecedented in climate history over the past 66 million years and weather extremes are the “new normal,” according to some of the latest findings in climate science compiled in the 2019's editions of the easy-to-read guide for negotiators, policymakers, and media for the COP25 world climate summit. PIK Director Johan Rockström and colleagues from Future Earth and the Earth League  presented the “10 New Insights in Climate Science” report to UNFCCC’s Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa at the meeting in the Spanish capital Madrid.


2018 edition for COP 24 in Katowice, Poland

Many impacts of human-induced climate change, from drought and heat waves to Antarctic ice melting, are coming earlier than expected. Extreme events, such as recent fires in North America and floods across Asia, can with increased certainty be linked to global warming. Halving global emissions over the next decade is technically achievable and would save the world billions of dollars, say scientists in the 2018's edition of 10 Insights to coincide with the UN annual climate talks in Katowice, Poland.

2017 edition for COP23 in Bonn, Germany

"Collision course" with Earth's climatic tipping points avoidable but political will to act missing, warn scientists. As global temperatures climb higher, Earth is approaching tipping points that threaten human security, warn scientists in the 2017's edition on 10 Insights to national representatives meeting in Bonn for the annual climate talks. Their warning comes as global emissions are projected to rise after three stable years. 

About Earth League, Future Earth and WCRP

Earth League is a voluntary international alliance of prominent scientists from world‐class research institutions, who look to work together to respond to some of the most pressing issues faced by humankind, as a consequence of climate change, depletion of natural resources, land degradation and water scarcity.
More information here: https://www.the-earth-league.org/

Future Earth is a global network of scientists, researchers, and innovators collaborating for a more sustainable planet.

More information here: https://futureearth.org/

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) coordinates and facilitates international climate research to develop, share, and apply the climate knowledge that contributes to societal well-being.

More information here: https://www.wcrp-climate.org/about-wcrp/wcrp-overview