The IPCC now says, "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal". This message has attracted international attention. Looking ahead, we can expect to see progress in policy measures related to global warming. In particular, the IPCC also shows "very likely" findings that human activities are the main cause of warming. Further, the new findings of possible additional warming due to feedback in the carbon cycle could be of huge significance.
This is not the first time for the IPCC to assess the contributions to global warming. This time around, however, the projection results, including those obtained by the Earth Simulator, provide a more certain message based on incontrovertible evidence from projection experiments.
At the IPCC 27th Session held in Valencia, Spain, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, stressed the significant role of the IPCC concerning global warming and said, "Threat is real," based on current global situations including those of Antarctica, which he had just visited. It is extraordinary for the Secretary-General of the United Nations to speak directly at an IPCC Session. Thus, his speech seems to reflect serious international concern about the global warming issue.
Later, I also participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (including COP13) held in Bali, Indonesia where IPCC Chairman Dr. Rajendra Pachauri and related experts delivered lectures on the Synthesis Report, the last part of the Fourth Assessment Report, to participating policy makers. He then left for Oslo, Norway to attend the Novel Peace Prize ceremony held on December 10. At the Bali conference, speakers quoted widely from the Fourth Assessment Report and a kind of on the spot impression was obtained as to how scientific results are being reflected in international policy. On December 13, Dr. Pachauri flew back to Bali with Mr. Gore, where they received a rousing ovation from the Conference participants. The address given by Mr. Gore before a capacity-filled hall was deeply moving.

Expectations have recently risen high, not only for the IPCC, but also for the outcomes of projection research in general. Researchers are beginning to feel a sense of a role to play or a mission to carry out against global warming. In particular, outcomes from recent projection research assessed by the IPCC reveal that global warming is more serious than previously thought and that it is time to think more seriously about this planet Earth for the sake of our posterity. After the completion of the Working Group I Report "The Physical Science Basis" in Paris in February 2007, a number of Japanese scientists, including myself, issued an urgent message to the general public along the above lines.