Effects of Climate Change Are Rampant Throughout the World


A huge change is underway across the globe and in its atmosphere, scientists report, that is affecting not only nature, but the lives and homes of millions of people. Changes can be measured from the highest mountains to deep in the oceans and are leading to extinction for parts of earth's rich biodiversity. For humans, the changes in climate are particularly dangerous to people who live near the ocean shore and who already suffer from drought, flooding and poverty. Many of these effects have been known previously. But this comprehensive new report carries the imprimature of the United Nations and gathers together and analyzes hundreds of published research papers.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released this latest report: "Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability," in Brussels, 6 April 2007. Their summary document shows an increasing impact to natural systems and living things as earth's temperature rises degree by degree. The vulnerabilities reported are stark and focus on people already at risk in the world's poorer nations -- people who have had little to do with the increase of the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere. The scientists indicate that in a few areas, agriculture may improve in the early part of the warming expected this century. But they make clear that unpleasant circumstances are the major effect and that more are in store unless we control our use of fossil fuel and other sources of heat-trapping gases.

The summary report is a consensus document and is subject to last minute changes suggested by world governments and negotiated with the scientific authors. As bad as the report seemed, many news reports emerging from Brussels indicated some scientists said the consensus process left out some serious effects and watered down the language of the summary. It is expected that many more details and straight information from research will be available in the 1500 page full report. More info on this part of the IPCC 2007 study will be posted here later. My article on the first section in February is here.