US Absent from Key Climate Science Meeting in China

The absence of US representatives at the ongoing IPCC meeting in Hangzhou, China, has raised concerns among scientists about the potential implications for global climate action. This comes after the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, which has been viewed as a significant setback given the country's status as the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases. The IPCC is reviewing critical components of its Seventh Assessment Report, which is crucial for informing global climate policy. Experts warn that the lack of US participation could hinder international scientific progress and cooperation on climate issues. Leading climate scientists have emphasized the importance of the IPCC as the most authoritative body on climate science, calling the US's absence a 'new blow.' The meeting is further underscored by the urgency of the climate crisis, as it follows the hottest year on record, prompting calls for timely assessments to guide future action.