In the United in Science 2020 report, leading science organisations warn that greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere are at record levels and continue to increase. This is despite a temporary decline caused by the COVID-19 lockdown in the first half of the year.
Building on last year’s report, this report highlights rising global emissions and the irreversible impacts of climate change. These negatively effect oceans and seas, ecosystems and economies, water resources, and human well-being and health. The report outlines how the COVID-19 pandemic has impeded the ability to monitor these changes through the global observing system.
United in Science 2020 is coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with contributions from the Global Carbon Project, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the UN Environment Programme and the UK’s Met Office.
This report from UNESCO recognises that there are increasing social disparities and inequity in the world, alongside population growth, climate change, the deterioration and pollution of the environment, the unsustainable use of freshwater and depletion of ocean resources, as well as increasing c