Is there a connection between climate change and wildfires? Kevin Trenberth, Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, explains that "Global warming does not cause wildfires ... global warming exacerbates the conditions and raises the risk of wildfire." To find out how this relates to the Earth's energy imbalance, click the headline above. A satellite image of the Carr Fire in California (NASA.)

The IPCC today announced the approval of the "Summary for Policymakers" of its Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C. The full report will soon be released in final form, pending small changes that arose from the consideration of the Summary for Policymakers. For details, click the headline above.

WMO Chief Scientist and Research Director, Pavel Kabat, is currently at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meeting to consider its Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 ºC. He specifically mentions the role of WCRP in convening the global research community, both to advance our understanding of fundamental processes and to develop and continuously improve climate models. To read more, click the heading above (photo: IPCC).

At the 48th Plenary session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the IPCC has taken note of the Research and Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science, the primary outcome of the Cities and Climate Change Science Conference held earlier in the year and co-sponsored by WCRP. Click the heading above to find out more. Photo: IPCC

Anyone following the news will have seen that Typhoon Trami has had multiple impacts on Japan in the last hours. It also caused a delay to the start of the WCRP SPARC General Assembly, where 400 scientists are to discuss climate change, the atmosphere, and extreme weather. We are happy to report that everyone is safe and the conference has now begun (you can follow it on twitter @WCRP_SPARC). Our thoughts are with all those in Japan affected by the typhoon (Image: JMA).