UN IPCC revises climate forecast, Trump celebrates the change
The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) quietly adjusted its modeling framework, dropping the extreme RCP8.5 pathway that projected 4‑5 °C warming by 2100. Scientists said the high‑emission scenario had become implausible in light of falling renewable energy costs, evolving climate policies and recent emission trends, and replaced it with seven alternative scenarios.
President Donald Trump praised the revision on his Truth Social account, declaring a “victory lap” and criticizing the former projection as an “alarmist” tool of his political opponents. He framed the change as validation of his administration’s approach, which he described as grounded in “truth, science and fact.” The commentary also referenced EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s recent rollback of a greenhouse‑gas rule and noted Bill Gates’ remarks that climate change will have serious impacts, especially for the poorest, but will not eradicate humanity.
The IPCC’s shift has implications for climate modeling, policy planning and public discourse, while Trump’s response highlights the political salience of scientific forecasts in U.S. domestic debates.