A summary of the report for policymakers was released Monday. It follows studies released earlier this year warning that global warming could happen faster than previously feared, and of severe human and environmental impacts. The IPCC was founded in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme to research and report on all aspects of climate change. New technologies that can help restrain the growth in greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change have been developed faster than anticipated since the IPCC's last major review in 1995.
Wind turbines generate electricity in Palm Springs, California.
These include rapidly growing wind power generation, the elimination of industrial byproduct gases such perfluorocarbons from aluminium production, efficient hybrid engine cars, the advancement of fuel cell technology, and the demonstration of underground carbon dioxide storage. Carbon dioxide emitted by the combustion of oil, gas and coal is one of six gases that prevent the radiation of the Sun's heat back out into space where it cannot overheat the Earth. Technological options for emission reduction include improved efficiency of end use devices and energy conversion technologies, shift to low carbon and renewable biomass fuels, zero emissions technologies, improved energy management, reduction of industrial byproduct and process gas emissions, and carbon removal and storage, the IPCC report says. In the period 2010 to 2020, the scientists conclude, hundreds of technologies and practices for more efficient energy use in buildings, transportation and manufacturing can deliver over half the total potential emission reductions. These climate protective changes could be achieved at relatively low cost, the IPCC says.