The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which brings together hundreds of researchers from around the world, adds that “warming in the climate system is unequivocal and since 1950 many changes have been observed throughout the climate system that are unprecedented over decades to millennia.”

Looking ahead, panel co-chair Thomas Stocker warns that “continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system. … Heat waves are very likely to occur more frequently and last longer. As the Earth warms, we expect to see currently wet regions receiving more rainfall, and dry regions receiving less, although there will be exceptions.”…

The study also notes, Richard added, that there has been . But the scientists say some temporary factors are responsible. The world’s oceans, they say, have been absorbing some of the increased heat. It’s expected that will change in coming years as weather patterns naturally shift. Also, recent volcanic eruptions appear to have spewed particles into the atmosphere that are shielding the planet from the sun. It can’t be assumed that volcanoes remain as active in coming years as they have been in the past few.