Evidence10 June 2010
Friends of the Earth campaigns on climate change because the evidence suggests:
The world is warming - and we humans are the cause. Global warming is damaging people, the economy and natural systems. By stepping up action now we can reap big rewards.
Sources of evidence
The vast majority of climate scientists say it's very likely humans are changing the climate.
The most authoritative view comes from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC was set up by the United Nations and World Meteorological Organisation. Its job is to make sense of the mass of data being generated around the world.
Hundreds of scientific authors, thousands of reviewers and all major national science academies took part in the IPCC's report in 2007 - it's the biggest-ever review of the evidence.
The IPPC's 'Fourth Assessment Report' concludes
Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely (>90%) due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.[i]
According to a more recent study by the UK Meteorological Office real-world observations show our planet is changing rapidly. And it agrees that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are very likely to be the cause.[ii]
Even BP accepts global warming is happening. The oil giant says all countries, industry and society at large have to act.[iii]
If most pilots said they thought a plane was likely to crash, who would be foolish enough to fly in it?
Read our summary of key facts about climate change.
If you're not convinced by the risk, check out the benefits of taking action.
> Climate change and the economy
[i] IPCC (2007). Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report.
[ii] Meteorological Office, 2010, Detection and attribution of climate change: a regional perspective.
[iii] BP website
Climate evidence - what the UK should do
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