The RSS Climate Change and Net Zero Task Force has launched a new series of explainers on the statistics and data underpinning our understanding of climate change. The first set of explainers focuses on the 1.5°C global mean warming target.
The task force, chaired by RSS president Andrew Garrett and David Stephenson, professor of statistical climatology at the University of Exeter, was established as a mechanism for the RSS to inform discussions surrounding climate change.
With statistics and data science often at the forefront of climate change research, the task force aims to provide clarity on complex issues through accessible explanations and analysis.
Given the significance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C as outlined in international climate agreements, the first set of explainers focuses on the following questions related to this target:
- How is the 1.5℃ global mean warming target defined?
- What are the main sources of uncertainty in knowing when this target will be exceeded?
- What are the local warming implications of reaching such a target?
- When and why was this particular target chosen?