In 2007 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report of four volumes, giving a comprehensive and rigorous picture of the global state of knowledge on climate change. Part 1 discusses the physical science basis of climate change. Part 2 addresses the climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. It underlines key concerns of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Part 3, the final part of the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report, is based on the assessment carried out by the three Working Groups. It provides an integrated view of climate change.
For a brief explanation of the IPCC report click here 
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: The physical science basis of climate change: Climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability (pdf, 923 kB): summary for policy makersPublished in Disasters, The Journal of Disaster Studies, Policy and Management, Volume 30 Number 1. By Maarten K. van Aalst. Human emissions of greenhouse gases are already changing our climate. This paper provides an overview of the relation between climate change and weather extremes, and examines three specific cases where recent acute events have stimulated debate on the potential role of climate change: the European heatwave of 2003; the risk of inland flooding, such as recently in Central Europe and Great Britain; and the harsh Atlantic hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005. Furthermore, it briefly assesses the relation between climate change and El Niño, and the potential of abrupt climate change.
Read more (pdf, 341 kB).
Many of the impacts of climate change will materialize through changes in extreme events such as droughts, floods, and storms. Such extremes result in severe human suffering, and hamper economic development and poverty reduction. Unfortunately, assessments of climate change are often limited to mean temperature and precipitation. Knowledge of changes in extremes is sparse, particularly for Africa. This web site presents results of such analyses for various parts of Africa, using the best climate models from the upcoming IPCC Fourth Assessment Report.
Read more .
Climate change can act as a catalyst for enhanced disaster management.
Many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will be touched by the health implications of climate change.
Routinely taking humanitarian action before a disaster or health emergency happens, making full use of scientific information on all timescales.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent never works in isolation. Partnerships are more important than ever in the context of global warming.
The global climate is changing and the past no longer explains the present.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has traditionally focused on response. But now other aspects, including risk reduction, are also given priority.
Red Cross Red Crescent youth take action to reduce the impacts of climate change.
The Red Cross Red Crescent has a growing body of experience working on addressing climate change. Here’s how to use it to get started.
Take a look at Red Cross Red Crescent climate change activities on the worldmap
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The Climate Guide contains the experiences of over thirty national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Read more
