2005 was a year in which the scientific discoveries and new research on climate change confirmed the fears and concerns of the science community. Findings reported in peer-reviewed journals last year point to an unavoidable conclusion: the physical consequences of climate change are no longer theoretical; they are real, they are here, and they can be quantified.

In an issue brief entitled Climate Science 2005: Major New Discoveries (see http://pdf.wri.org/climatescience_2005.pdf), the World Resources Institute reviews 40 scientific papers from the past year. Findings are described, including full citations and brief comments about the implications of each discovery.

A wide body of scientific and technical literature was reviewed in the preparation of this paper, including general science journals (Nature and Science), technical journals (Geophysical Research Letters, Annals of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, Ecology Letters, Ecology, Environment International, and Journal of Climate) and material from key web sites and international organizations (RealClimate.org, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the U.S. Department of Energy, and others).