The '''Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change''' (IPCC) is a scientific intergovernmental body established in 1988 by the [[World Meteorological Organization]] and the [[United Nations Environment Program]]. It has published several influential reports on [[global warming]] and climate change. It is widely cited as reporting a consensus among the world's scientists that global warming is happening and that human activity is probably the main driver. [http://www.naturecanada.ca/climate_change.asp]
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The '''Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change''' (IPCC) was established in 1988 by the [[World Meteorological Organization]] and the [[United Nations Environment Program]]. It has published several influential reports on [[global warming]] and climate change. It is widely cited as reporting a consensus among the world's scientists that global warming is happening and that human activity is probably the main driver. [http://www.naturecanada.ca/climate_change.asp]
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Although it is cited by advocates of the [[Kyoto Protocol]] as a "scientific" intergovernmental body, it in fact does not carry out or sponsor scientific research. It is a political body, dedicated to promoting changes to the [[global warming treaty]]. Its periodic reports are slanted toward that end, downplaying and often disagreeing with the scientific consensus.
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On at least two occasions, the IPCC has issued summaries for policymakers which contradict the scientific reports submitted to it. In the most recent case, they issued their summary '''before''' receiving the report!