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Total Categories: 7
The IPCC was established in 1988 through a joint effort by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Answer: True
The IPCC was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with formal endorsement by the United Nations later that year.
The IPCC's secretariat is located in New York City, USA, and is hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Answer: False
The IPCC's secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and is hosted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), not in New York City.
The IPCC Panel typically convenes in plenary sessions only once every two years.
Answer: False
The IPCC Panel convenes in plenary sessions approximately twice annually, not merely once every two years, to guide the organization's structure, budget, and work program.
Jim Skea is the current Chair of the IPCC, and he is a specialist in atmospheric physics.
Answer: False
While Jim Skea is indeed the current Chair of the IPCC, his specialization is in energy science, not atmospheric physics.
What is the primary role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
Answer: To provide governments with scientific information for developing climate policies.
The primary role of the IPCC is to provide governments with comprehensive scientific assessments to inform climate policy development.
Which two organizations were jointly responsible for establishing the IPCC in 1988?
Answer: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The IPCC was jointly established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The IPCC's secretariat is hosted by which organization in Geneva, Switzerland?
Answer: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
The IPCC's secretariat is hosted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
How many member states are part of the IPCC?
Answer: Exactly 195
The IPCC comprises 195 member states, which are the governments that govern the panel's activities and decisions.
The IPCC's plenary sessions, where the Panel guides the organization's structure and budget, typically occur:
Answer: Approximately twice a year.
The IPCC Panel convenes in plenary sessions approximately twice annually to guide the organization's structure, budget, and work program.
Working Group II of the IPCC focuses on assessing the impacts of climate change and potential adaptation strategies.
Answer: True
Working Group II is indeed responsible for assessing the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems, alongside evaluating adaptation options.
Working Group III is tasked with evaluating methods to limit or prevent climate change through greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Answer: True
Working Group III's mandate involves assessing mitigation strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit or prevent climate change.
Which IPCC Working Group is responsible for assessing the physical science basis of climate change?
Answer: Working Group I
Working Group I is tasked with assessing the physical science basis of climate change and the climate system.
What is the primary focus of IPCC Working Group II?
Answer: Assessing the impacts of climate change and potential adaptation options.
Working Group II focuses on assessing the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems and evaluating potential adaptation strategies.
The IPCC's Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories primarily serves to:
Answer: Develop methodologies and tools for countries to report greenhouse gas emissions.
The Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories develops methodologies and provides software tools to assist countries in accurately reporting their greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
Which of the following is NOT a structural component of the IPCC responsible for its scientific work?
Answer: The Scientific Advisory Board
The IPCC's scientific work is structured around three Working Groups and a Task Force; a Scientific Advisory Board is not listed as a primary structural component for its scientific work.
As of 2023, the IPCC has published seven comprehensive assessment reports.
Answer: False
As of 2023, the IPCC has published six comprehensive assessment reports, not seven. The series began in 1990.
The IPCC's First Assessment Report (FAR) in 1990 concluded with certainty that human activities were increasing greenhouse gases and causing warming, leading to the establishment of the UNFCCC.
Answer: True
The FAR in 1990 concluded with certainty that human activities were increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to Earth's surface warming. This report was crucial in prompting the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The IPCC's Second Assessment Report (SAR) in 1995 strengthened findings by indicating a discernible human influence on the global climate.
Answer: True
The SAR, released in 1995, strengthened previous findings by indicating that there was a discernible human influence on the global climate. It also provided essential information for the negotiations that led to the Kyoto Protocol.
The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) published in 2007 unequivocally stated that 'Warming of the climate system is likely.'
Answer: False
The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) in 2007 famously stated that 'Warming of the climate system is unequivocal,' a stronger assertion than 'likely.'
The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) concluded that human influence on the climate system is clear and that humanity possesses the means to limit climate change.
Answer: True
The AR5 concluded that human influence on the climate system is clear, that increasing climate disruption heightens the risk of severe impacts, and that humanity possesses the means to limit climate change and foster a sustainable future.
The AR6 Working Group I report confirmed that climate changes are only affecting a few specific regions and are largely reversible.
Answer: False
The AR6 Working Group I report confirmed that climate changes are affecting every region and that many changes are irreversible over vast timescales, contrary to the assertion that they are limited and reversible.
The IPCC's AR6 Working Group II report warned that significant climate hazards are unavoidable within the next fifty years, even if warming is limited to 1.5°C.
Answer: False
The AR6 Working Group II report warned that significant climate hazards are unavoidable within the next two decades, not fifty years, even if warming is limited to 1.5°C.
The AR6 Working Group III report indicated that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is still achievable without immediate and substantial greenhouse gas emission cuts.
Answer: False
The AR6 Working Group III report emphasized that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is unattainable without immediate and substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions.
What was a significant outcome of the IPCC's First Assessment Report (FAR) published in 1990?
Answer: It concluded that human activities were increasing greenhouse gases and causing warming, prompting the creation of the UNFCCC.
The FAR in 1990 concluded with certainty that human activities were increasing greenhouse gases and causing warming, which was instrumental in prompting the establishment of the UNFCCC.
The IPCC's Second Assessment Report (SAR), released in 1995, is noted for strengthening the evidence regarding:
Answer: A discernible human influence on the global climate.
The SAR in 1995 strengthened the evidence base by indicating a discernible human influence on the global climate.
What definitive statement was made in the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) in 2007 regarding climate change?
Answer: Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.
The AR4 in 2007 stated unequivocally that 'Warming of the climate system is unequivocal,' marking a significant increase in scientific certainty.
Which IPCC Assessment Report served as the primary scientific basis for the Paris Agreement?
Answer: The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5)
The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), published between 2013 and 2014, served as the primary scientific foundation for the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015.
According to the AR6 Working Group II report (2022), what is the outlook for climate hazards even if warming is limited to 1.5°C?
Answer: Significant hazards are unavoidable within the next two decades.
The AR6 Working Group II report warned that significant climate hazards are unavoidable within the next two decades, even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C.
What crucial message did the AR6 Working Group III report convey regarding the 1.5°C warming target?
Answer: Limiting warming to 1.5°C is unattainable without immediate and substantial greenhouse gas emission cuts.
The AR6 Working Group III report stressed that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is unattainable without immediate and substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
What does the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) conclude about humanity's capacity regarding climate change?
Answer: Humanity possesses the means to limit climate change and foster a sustainable future.
The AR5 concluded that humanity possesses the means to limit climate change and foster a sustainable future, alongside clear evidence of human influence and increasing risks.
The AR6 Working Group I report (August 2021) highlighted that certain climate changes, like sea-level rise, are:
Answer: Unprecedented in millennia and irreversible over vast timescales.
The AR6 Working Group I report confirmed that many climate changes, including sea-level rise, are unprecedented in millennia and irreversible over vast timescales.
What was the significance of the IPCC's 1995 Second Assessment Report (SAR)?
Answer: It provided essential information for the negotiations that led to the Kyoto Protocol.
The SAR in 1995 strengthened the evidence for human influence on climate and provided crucial information that informed the negotiations leading to the Kyoto Protocol.
Which assessment report concluded that 'Warming of the climate system is unequivocal'?
Answer: Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)
The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), published in 2007, famously concluded that 'Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.'
What did the AR6 Working Group I report confirm about the current state of climate change impacts?
Answer: Climate changes are affecting every region, with many changes being unprecedented.
The AR6 Working Group I report confirmed that climate changes are affecting every region globally, with many changes being unprecedented in millennia.
Besides comprehensive assessment reports, the IPCC also produces Special Reports and Methodology Reports.
Answer: True
In addition to its comprehensive assessment reports, the IPCC produces focused Special Reports and methodological guidance documents.
Methodology Reports, overseen by the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, provide guidance for countries on reporting their emissions.
Answer: True
Methodology Reports, managed by the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, offer standardized guidance and tools for countries to report their emissions and removals.
The IPCC's 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15) concluded that limiting warming to 1.5°C was infeasible and required no significant societal changes.
Answer: False
The 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15) concluded that limiting warming to 1.5°C was feasible but required drastic emission cuts and significant societal changes, not that it was infeasible.
The 2019 Special Report on Climate Change and Land concluded that land use changes have minimal impact on climate change mitigation efforts.
Answer: False
The 2019 Special Report on Climate Change and Land concluded that land use changes are critical for climate change mitigation efforts and that reducing emissions from land sectors is essential.
The 2019 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere highlighted that changes in these regions due to climate change are minor and easily managed.
Answer: False
The 2019 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere highlighted significant and unprecedented changes, emphasizing the critical need for adaptation, not that changes were minor.
What did the 2019 Special Report on Climate Change and Land conclude about the relationship between climate change and land resources?
Answer: Climate change intensifies pressures on land resources, necessitating emissions reductions across sectors including land and food.
The 2019 Special Report on Climate Change and Land concluded that climate change exacerbates pressures on land resources and emphasized the necessity of emissions reductions across all sectors, including land and food.
Which of the following is an example of a Special Report produced by the IPCC?
Answer: The Special Report on Climate Change and Land
The Special Report on Climate Change and Land is one of several focused Special Reports produced by the IPCC.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is primarily responsible for conducting original scientific research on climate change.
Answer: False
The IPCC's mandate is to assess existing scientific literature, not to conduct original research. Its role is to synthesize and evaluate the vast body of climate science.
IPCC assessment cycles, during which elected scientists serve on the bureau, typically last around three to four years.
Answer: False
IPCC assessment cycles, encompassing the work of the bureau, are generally longer, lasting approximately six to seven years, not three to four.
While maintaining neutrality on policy recommendations, the IPCC may discuss objective factors relevant to policy implementation.
Answer: True
The IPCC adheres to strict neutrality regarding policy recommendations but is permitted to discuss objective factors pertinent to policy implementation.
While prioritizing peer-reviewed literature, the IPCC permits the use of high-quality non-peer-reviewed sources, such as government reports, to ensure comprehensive assessments.
Answer: True
The IPCC allows authors to reference high-quality non-peer-reviewed sources, such as government reports, to ensure comprehensive assessments, while still prioritizing peer-reviewed literature.
Scientists contributing to IPCC reports receive substantial financial compensation for their expertise and time.
Answer: False
Scientists contributing to IPCC reports do so on a voluntary basis and do not receive direct financial compensation for their work.
The IPCC's review process for reports involves only an initial expert review before publication.
Answer: False
The IPCC's review process is multi-stage, involving expert reviews, government and expert reviews of revised drafts, and government reviews of Summaries for Policymakers, not just an initial expert review.
In the IPCC context, 'Approval' signifies that a document has been endorsed without requiring line-by-line agreement.
Answer: False
In the IPCC context, 'Approval' signifies that a document has undergone detailed, line-by-line discussion and agreement, unlike 'Acceptance' or 'Adoption'.
How does the IPCC ensure the scientific rigor and diversity of its reports?
Answer: Through a formal nomination process for experts, emphasizing scientific excellence and diverse representation.
The IPCC ensures scientific rigor and diversity through a formal nomination process for experts, prioritizing scientific excellence, geographical representation, and diverse viewpoints.
Which statement best describes the IPCC's approach to policy recommendations?
Answer: The IPCC provides objective scientific information but remains neutral on policy recommendations.
The IPCC maintains strict neutrality on policy recommendations, focusing instead on providing objective scientific information relevant to policy decisions.
Scientists contributing to IPCC reports do so:
Answer: On a voluntary basis, without direct financial compensation.
Scientists contribute to IPCC reports on a voluntary basis, without direct financial compensation, relying on their institutional salaries.
What does the term 'Acceptance' signify in the IPCC's document endorsement process?
Answer: That the document is considered a comprehensive and objective representation of the subject matter.
'Acceptance' signifies that an IPCC document is considered a comprehensive, objective, and balanced representation of the subject matter, even if it has not undergone line-by-line agreement.
How does the IPCC's approach to non-peer-reviewed sources differ from a strict academic publication standard?
Answer: It allows high-quality non-peer-reviewed sources if they provide a comprehensive overview.
While prioritizing peer-reviewed literature, the IPCC permits the inclusion of high-quality non-peer-reviewed sources to ensure comprehensive assessments.
The IPCC is primarily funded through mandatory annual contributions from all United Nations member states.
Answer: False
The IPCC is funded through voluntary financial contributions from its member governments to a dedicated trust fund, not through mandatory contributions.
In 2021, the IPCC's annual budget was approximately 60 million euros.
Answer: False
The IPCC's annual budget in 2021 was approximately six million euros, not sixty million euros.
The IPCC's Gender Policy and Implementation Plan aims to exclude gender considerations to maintain scientific objectivity.
Answer: False
The IPCC's Gender Policy and Implementation Plan aims to integrate gender considerations and promote inclusivity, not to exclude them.
Enhanced communication efforts for the AR6 cycle led to decreased media coverage and public engagement with IPCC reports.
Answer: False
Enhanced communication efforts for the AR6 cycle led to increased, not decreased, media coverage and public engagement with IPCC reports.
How is the IPCC primarily funded?
Answer: Through a trust fund supported by voluntary financial contributions from member governments.
The IPCC is primarily funded through voluntary financial contributions from its member governments to a dedicated trust fund.
How did the IPCC improve its communication strategies for the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and subsequent cycles?
Answer: By providing early access to approved reports for media under embargo and expanding outreach.
For the AR5 and subsequent cycles, the IPCC enhanced communication by providing early media access under embargo and expanding outreach activities.
What is the primary goal of the IPCC's Gender Policy and Implementation Plan?
Answer: To integrate gender considerations and promote inclusivity and equal opportunities.
The IPCC's Gender Policy aims to integrate gender considerations and foster inclusivity and equal opportunities throughout its operations.
The IPCC shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.
Answer: True
The IPCC was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with Al Gore for their contributions to understanding and addressing climate change.
A common criticism of IPCC reports is that they tend to overestimate the speed and severity of global warming due to the consensus-driven process.
Answer: False
A common criticism is that IPCC reports may tend to be overly conservative, potentially underestimating the speed and severity of global warming, rather than overestimating it.
Climate scientist James E. Hansen argued that the IPCC's assessments accurately predicted potential sea-level rise.
Answer: False
Climate scientist James E. Hansen argued that the IPCC's conservative approach led to significant underestimations of potential sea-level rise, contrary to the assertion that they accurately predicted it.
The Climatic Research Unit email controversy involved leaked emails that fully exonerated the IPCC's assessment processes.
Answer: False
The Climatic Research Unit email controversy, along with an error in the AR4 report, led to increased scrutiny and calls for reviews of the IPCC's processes, rather than full exoneration.
The InterAcademy Council (IAC) review in 2010 recommended simplifying the IPCC's review process and reducing the number of assessment reports.
Answer: False
The 2010 InterAcademy Council (IAC) review recommended strengthening management structures and improving conflict-of-interest policies, among other reforms, not specifically reducing the number of assessment reports or simplifying the review process in the way implied.
John Christy expressed that the consensus claimed by IPCC reports was not a true reflection of the process, as contributing authors had limited influence over editing decisions.
Answer: True
John Christy articulated that the claimed consensus in IPCC reports did not accurately reflect the limited influence contributing authors and reviewers had over editing decisions.
Christopher Landsea withdrew from the IPCC process citing concerns about the scientific soundness and perceived agenda-driven nature of the process.
Answer: True
Christopher Landsea withdrew from the IPCC process due to concerns regarding its scientific soundness and perceived agenda-driven nature.
The scientific community widely supports the IPCC, viewing its reports as benchmarks for climate science.
Answer: True
The IPCC's reports are generally regarded by the scientific community as authoritative benchmarks for climate science, with numerous scientific bodies endorsing its findings.
The IPCC directly supports the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by setting international climate policy targets.
Answer: False
The IPCC supports the UNFCCC by providing scientific assessments, but it does not set international climate policy targets; that is the role of the UNFCCC negotiations.
In 2023, reports indicated that Brazil and Argentina pressured the IPCC to include recommendations for plant-based diets in a report.
Answer: False
In 2023, reports indicated that Brazil and Argentina pressured the IPCC to *remove* recommendations for plant-based diets, not to include them.
In 2007, the IPCC was awarded which prestigious prize, shared with Al Gore?
Answer: The Nobel Peace Prize
In 2007, the IPCC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, shared with Al Gore, for their efforts in disseminating knowledge about human-caused climate change.
What is a common criticism regarding the perceived conservatism of IPCC reports?
Answer: They tend to be overly conservative, potentially underestimating risks.
A common criticism is that IPCC reports may exhibit conservatism, potentially underestimating the speed and severity of global warming due to the consensus-driven process.
The InterAcademy Council (IAC) review of the IPCC in 2010 recommended several reforms. Which of the following was among them?
Answer: Strengthening management structures and improving conflict-of-interest policies.
The 2010 IAC review recommended strengthening management structures and improving conflict-of-interest policies, among other reforms, to enhance the IPCC's processes.
Why did Christopher Landsea withdraw from the IPCC process?
Answer: He felt the IPCC process was driven by predetermined agendas and lacked scientific soundness.
Christopher Landsea withdrew citing concerns that the IPCC process was driven by predetermined agendas and lacked scientific soundness.
What was the reported pressure exerted by Brazil and Argentina on the IPCC in 2023 regarding a report?
Answer: They pressured the IPCC to *remove* recommendations for plant-based diets.
Reports indicated that Brazil and Argentina pressured the IPCC to remove recommendations for plant-based diets from a report in 2023.
What criticism did John Christy level against the IPCC's consensus-building process?
Answer: That the claimed consensus did not accurately reflect the limited influence of contributing authors on editing.
John Christy criticized that the claimed consensus in IPCC reports did not accurately reflect the limited influence contributing authors and reviewers had over editing decisions.
The IPCC shared the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity in 2022 with which other organization?
Answer: The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
In 2022, the IPCC shared the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity with IPBES, recognizing their joint contributions to scientific knowledge on environmental challenges.
What concern did James E. Hansen raise about the IPCC's assessment of sea-level rise?
Answer: That the IPCC's conservative approach led to significant underestimations of potential sea-level rise.
James E. Hansen argued that the IPCC's conservative approach resulted in significant underestimations of potential sea-level rise.