International Science Panel Issues Troubling 2019 Report on State of Oceans and Snowpack

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IOCC) issued a report this week addressing the impact of a warming climate on oceans and snowpacks. The report outlined concerns over rising sea levels and melting ice sheets, stating that "glaciers, snow, ice and permafrost are declining and will continue to do so." This results in rising sea levels, which the report concluded are currently rising at a rate of "3.6 mm per year and accelerating."

Marine life has also been affected, since oceans have "taken up more that 90% of the excess heat in the climate system." This reduces the amount of oxygen available in the water, leading to reductions in fish populations and global catch potential. To read more about this report and the IOCC's call for continued vigilance in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment, click here.