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Direct Observations of Recent Climate Change  Concepts

These 3 graphs are from the Sixth IPCC Report (AR6) with observed data on temperatures, sea ice and ocean acidity through 2015 followed by projected changes through the end of the century. The projections are based on 5 different scenarios called Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs). The five scenarios (SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5. I) reflect choices society makes related to fossil fuels and carbon footprint.

 

The SSPs are based on five narratives describing socioeconomic trends that could shape future society.

They include: a world of sustainability-focused growth and equality (SSP1); a “middle of the road” world where trends broadly follow historical patterns (SSP2); a fragmented world of “resurgent nationalism” (SSP3); a world of ever-increasing inequality (SSP4); and a world of rapid and unconstrained growth in economic output and energy use (SSP5).