IPCC release Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
The Intergovornmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) draws together cutting edge science from around the world in order to provide governments with an authoritative and broad base of information on which to base there policy decisions. The IPCC is policy relavent, not policy prescriptive. (Who set up the IPCC, how are govornments involved, what are it's aims?)The IPCC report is a synthesis of current science, not a new piece of primary research. The work of the IPCC is split three ways: Working Group 1 (WG1) looks at the basic science, Working Group 2 (WG2) look at Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Working Group 3 (WG3) looks at ways to mitigate (reduce) climate change. (Who are the scientists in WG2?)
Today WG2 release the 23 page Summary for Policy Makers (SPM), the report in full of there work will be released later in the year. (Webcast of Event+ Q&A)
In fact, although the main launch of the report occurred today (April 6th 2007) in Brussels there where launches in 16 regions around the world; representing the global nature of the issues and the international diversity of the scientists involved (from over 100 nations) more details on theses other launches here.
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IPCC to release "Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability" report
Geneva, 21 March 2007 – The Working Group II contribution to the "Climate Change 2007" Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will be presented to the press in Brussels on 6 April 2007. Additional press briefings focusing on specific impacts at the regional level will follow in various locations around the world starting from 10 April.
The report assesses the latest scientific, environmental and socio-economic literature on "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability". It provides a comprehensive analysis of how climate change is affecting natural and human systems, what the impacts will be in the future and how far adaptation and mitigation can reduce these impacts. The report also contains chapters on specific systems, sectors and regions.
The 8th Plenary session of Working Group II (WGII) will gather government delegates from more than one hundred countries, together with the WGII Lead Authors, to accept the Report and approve its Summary for Policymakers.
Media are invited to the Opening Ceremony of the Plenary on 2 April, which will take place at 10 am in the Charlemagne Building of the European Commission. Speakers will include Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, the Prime Minister of Belgium; Mr. Stavros Dimas, European Commissioner for the Environment; Mr. Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research (tbc); Mr. Rajendra Pachauri, the Chair of the IPCC, as well as representatives from UNEP and WMO. The ceremony will be chaired by Mr. Osvaldo Canziani, the Co-chair of WGII.
The approved Summary for Policymakers will be released during the PRESS CONFERENCE on FRIDAY, 6 April, at 10 am in:
Charlemagne Building of the European Commission
Salle S3
170, Rue de la Loi (Wetstraat)
BE-1049 Brussels, Belgium
The key findings of the report will be presented by the WGII Co-chairs, Mr. Osvaldo Canziani and Mr. Martin Parry, together with Mr. Rajendra Pachauri, the IPCC Chair. Many of the Lead Authors, and representatives from WMO and UNEP, will also be present at the press conference.
The Summary for Policymakers of the report will be available as hard copy for the press one hour in advance at the press conference venue, while the full report will be available on the IPCC website some days later. The press conference will be in English and will be webcast live. The webcast will be accessible from the IPCC Internet site and also downloadable from the website about 4 hours after the end of the event. The Charlemagne Building will be accessible starting from 8 am for both the Opening Ceremony and the press conference.
The IPCC will also organize regional press briefings in various locations to provide an in-depth view of the observed and projected climate change impacts in the region, local vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. Most of the briefings will take place on 10 April. The briefings will be given by IPCC scientists from that region whose expertise addresses the key regional issues. All information about the regional events (locations, venues, speakers, contact persons for accreditation, etc.) will be published on the IPCC website as soon as they are confirmed. Journalists are kindly invited to check the IPCC homepage for updates.
For information concerning accreditation to the Brussels press conference and the Opening Ceremony of the WGII Plenary session, please contact:
• Carola Traverso Saibante, IPCC Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 730 8066; +41-79- 666-7134 (portable)
E-mail: CSaibante@wmo.int
• Michael Williams, United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland.
Phone: + 41-22-9178-242/244/196, +41-79-409-1528 (portable);
Email: michael.williams@unep.ch
• Carine Richard-Van Maele, World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 730 8315
Email: Email: cpa@wmo.int
For any technical requirements, please contact:
• Siri Wendelborg, United Nations Regional Information Centre, Brussels, Belgium
Phone:+ 322788 8488, + 32476930602 (portable);
Email: wendelborg@unric.org
World’s Leading Climate Scientists Report
On Global Warming’s Regional Impacts
Release Today in Brussels
WHAT:
This morning in Brussels, Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change releases its report on the latest scientific consensus on the currently observable and projected regional impacts of global warming – such as drought, wildfires, alteration of habitat, dislocation and extinction of species, flooding and increased vectors for disease.
The projections are based on business-as-usual conditions if action is not taken to reduce global warming pollution.
The IPCC is the forum for 2,500 of the world’s preeminent climate scientists representing more than 130 nations.
The first working group report released in February made international news with its “unequivocal” conclusion that global warming is occurring and is “very likely” to be caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal.
See www.ipccinfo.com for additional information.
POLICY & WILDLIFE EXPERTS
The National Wildlife Federation policy and wildlife experts across the country are available to assist in providing a regional perspective to this important story.
National - Washington, DC
Jeremy Symons, Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Global Warming Program, is available to comment on the significance of the IPCC findings and the growing momentum for action to cut global warming pollution among the public, business leaders, state and local governments, and in Congress.
202-306-7902
Dr. Amanda Staudt provides scientific expertise for the National Wildlife Federation’s activities on global warming. Prior to joining NWF, Dr. Staudt directed the National Academies of Science Climate Research Committee and helped author more than a dozen reports on topics including the U.S. strategy for supporting climate change research, radiative forcing of climate, past records of surface temperature, and practices for effective global change assessments. She holds a Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences (2001) and an A.B. in environmental engineering and sciences (1996) from Harvard University. 202-797-6821
Northwest – Seattle, WA
Patricia Glick, Senior Global Warming Specialist, has been dedicated to the issue of climate change for more than 16 years. Much of her work has focused on translating the science of global warming and its impacts on fish and wildlife into creative and understandable outreach tools, such as the recent reports Fueling the Fire: Global Warming, Fossil Fuels and the Fish and Wildlife of the American West, An Unfavorable Tide: Global Warming, Coastal Habitats and Sportfishing in Florida, The Waterfowler’s Guide to Global Warming and Fish Out of Water: A Guide to Global Warming and Pacific Northwest Rivers. 206-595-8054
Rocky Mountains – Boulder, CO
Dr. Steve Torbit, Director, Rocky Mountain Natural Resource Center, holds a bachelors degree in chemistry, a master’s degree in zoology and a doctorate in wildlife biology from Colorado State University. His areas of expertise include agriculture and energy impacts on wildlife, particularly in the intermountain west. His research subjects have included mule deer, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep.
303-786-8001 ext. 17
Northern Rockies – Missoula, MT
Dr. Sterling Miller, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Missoula, MT, is a certified wildlife biologist and an expert in large carnivore biology and predator-prey relationships, with particular expertise in black bears and grizzly bears. Prior to joining NWF, Miller spent 20 years as a research wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Anchorage. 406-721-6705
David Stalling, a regional outreach coordinator, is a hunter, fisherman and grassroots activist. He works with hunters, anglers, ranchers and others to help increase awareness, influence policies, and protect wildlife and wild places from impacts of global warming. 406-721-6705
Great Lakes – Ann Arbor, MI
Zoe Lipman, Midwest Global Warming Program Manager, works on a range of energy and climate- related natural resource policy issues in states across the region. She works closely with NWF’s national campaign staff, and with NWF’s hunting and fishing affiliate organizations across the region. Prior to joining NWF, Zoe worked in management consulting, and as a trade union official in the U.S. and South Africa. Zoe has a BA from Yale University and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
734-769-3351 ext. 34
Dr. Michael Murray, Staff Scientist, has focused on the scientific and policy aspects of toxic chemicals in the environment, including mercury sources, environmental cycling, ecological and human exposure and effects, and pollution prevention and control options. More recently, his work has extended to other areas, including nutrient loadings, aquatic invasive species, and food web disruption in the Great Lakes. Michael received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Water Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and has co-authored a number of peer-reviewed publications. 734-769-3351 ext. 29
Gulf States – Austin, TX
Dr. Norman Johns, Water Resources Scientist, has authored several works on water and other environmental topics and provides NWF with scientifically-based input on a wide variety of Texas water resource issues. Dr. Johns has 20+ years of experience in the field of water resources research and management. Prior to working for the National Wildlife Federation, he worked in a variety of settings including private engineering consulting firms, the state water agency, and as a researcher at the University of Texas. He has received master's degrees in civil engineering and public affairs and a Ph.D. in geography, all from the University of Texas at Austin. 512-476-9805
Southeast – Atlanta, GA
Laura Hartt, Environmental Policy Specialist, works on Florida panther restoration. She sat on the Florida Panther Recovery Team and helped draft portions of the state’s latest recovery plan. She has a BS in biology, with minors in chemistry and zoology. She has an MS in wildlife ecology with a specialty in predator-prey dynamics and population viability analysis. She also has expertise in the impacts of exotic species on freshwater communities. Laura also holds a law degree, with an emphasis on environment and natural resources. She has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as in law review journals.
404-876-8733
Northeast – Montpelier, VT
Peggy Struhsacker, Wolf Project Leader, professional interests focus on human values and the restoration of ecological processes in the Northern Forests of New England. She received a M.S. in Environmental Biology from Antioch New England College in Keene, New Hampshire and a BS. from Montana State University.
802-229-0650
Additional Information
Ben McNitt
Communications Director
202 797-6855 – office
202- 365-1581 – cell
mcnitt@nwf.org
Aileo Weinmann
Communications Manager
202 797-6801 – office
202 538-5038 – cell
weinmanna@nwf.org
“It’s not just global warming, it’s local warming”
Statement by Larry Schweiger
National Wildlife Federation President
On Release of IPCC Working Group II Report
Washington, DC (April 6) “The world’s preeminent scientists are telling us with unmistakable clarity that it’s not just global warming, it’s local warming. It’s happening where we live.
“The cascade of evidence should overcome any question that we must act now to reduce global warming pollution.
“We can solve this problem by consistently reducing global warming pollution by just 2 percent each year, 20 percent a decade. America can do this if America sets it mind to it.
“America must choose between a fundamentally different planet or a fundamentally different energy future that breaks our oil addiction and aggressively opens the path to alternatives and renewables.
“The report’s message is water, water, water – more drought in the West, more flooding in the East and higher sea levels along all our coasts.
“Global warming’s potential to harm wildlife is one of the report’s central findings. Temperature increases of just a few degrees may propel 20 to 30 percent of all species toward extinction.
“Global warming is as unfair as it is dangerous – it will strike the poor hardest. One to two billion people will face increased water scarcity with a global average temperature rise of about 3 degrees F from today’s temperatures.
“We share a moral responsibility to confront global warming to protect our children’s future.”
The National Wildlife Federation inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2007
CONTACT: Ben McNitt – 202-797-6855; Aileo Weinmann – 202-797- 6801
WWF-UK
Climate change: Ignorance isn't an option
Friday 6 April 2007
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents a devastating outlook for the world's environment and economy, unless action is taken to stop climate change
In its latest report released in Brussels, the IPCC clearly shows that the impacts of climate change are here, now, and will only get worse. Sea levels are already rising; 100 million people who live less than one metre above sea level are at risk of losing their homes and their livelihoods. In India and China people could go hungry as crops fail due to the effects of global warming.
Freshwater supply for hundreds of millions of people is at risk. But even this summary report only represents the tip of the iceberg. The effects of climate change are altering the chemistry of the planet, causing the extinctions of species, and undermining economic and social development.
"Delegates wrestled to agree each word because they knew that their Heads of State are anxiously waiting for the conclusions of this important scientific conference," says Hans Verolme, Director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme. "The urgency of this report, prepared by the world's top scientists, should be matched with an equally urgent response by governments."
"There's no escaping the facts: global warming will bring hunger, floods and water shortages. Poor countries that bear least responsibility will suffer most - and they have no money to respond - but people should also be aware that even the richer countries risk enormous damage. Doing nothing is not an option, on the contrary it will have disastrous consequences. The industrialized countries simply need to accept their responsibilities and start implementing the solutions," adds Verolme.
The IPCC experts state clearly that some climate change is already unavoidable: but there is still time to protect ourselves against some of the most disastrous effects. This response must come as part of a broad and rapid change of development strategies, looking to avoid significant CO2 emissions.
"The irritating thing is that we have all the tools at hand to limit climate change and save the world from the worst impacts," says Dr Lara Hansen, Chief Scientist of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme. "The IPCC makes it clear that there is a window of opportunity but that it's closing fast. The world needs to use its collective brains to think ahead for the next ten years and work together to prevent this crisis."
"It becomes an economic as much as an ethical priority to defend what remains of nature on this planet -mangroves and coral reefs protect coasts, forests protect watersheds," adds Hansen. "Our societies are dependent upon nature, yet we have undermined it for centuries. Now, with climate change, we are attacking the very basis of the natural world - putting us all at risk."
Greenpeace
Brussels, Belgium — The new report was agreed after almost a week of negotiations, at the end of a tense 24-hour marathon session which became increasingly political. The second of a series of four to be released throughout 2007, this report documents the widespread effects that rising temperatures are already having on ecosystems and human activities and assesses the changes projected from human induced climate change over the next century.
"This is a glimpse into an apocalyptic future. The earth will be transformed by human induced climate change, unless action is taken soon and fast," said Stephanie Tunmore, Greenpeace International Climate and Energy Campaigner. "What this report shows is that we are simply running out of time."
Some of the reports key findings:
* It is likely that climate change will induce mass extinction of species within 60-70 years. We have already seen the climate linked extinction of some frog species but this is just the tip of the iceberg. The scale of risk is larger than most of the five major extinction events that have occurred in the earth's history.
* Over the next decades the number of people at risk of water scarcity is likely to rise from tens of millions to billions. Steadily decreasing water availability is projected for India and other parts of South Asia and Africa: whilst the poorest parts of the world are going to the hardest hit, wealthy countries such as Australia and nations in Southern Europe are also on the front line.
* Reductions in food production capacity in the poorest parts of the world are projected, bringing more hunger and misery and undermining achievement of the millennium development goals. Within a few decades it is likely that we will see climate change induced wheat, maize and rice production drops in India and China.
* Increased drought and water scarcity are likely to lead to growing problems of hunger and human dislocation in Africa in coming decades.
* The loss of glaciers in Asia, Latin America and Europe are set to cause major water supply problems for a large fraction of the world's population, as well as a massive increase in glacial lake outburst floods and other risks for those living in the glaciated mountains.
* Huge numbers of people will be at risk due to sea level rise, storm surge and river flooding in the Asian Megadeltas such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra (Bangladesh) and the Zhujiang (Pearl River).
* Warming of more than another degree could commit the world to multi-metre sea level rise over several centuries from the partial or total loss of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets. Huge coastal dislocation would result and could be triggered by emissions made in the next several decades.
Politicians watering down the threat?
In a late night manoeuvre, after nearly 22 hours of negotiations Saudi Arabia, China and Russia gutted a key figure in the IPCC report on impacts, removing a graph of the warming effects of fossil fuel emissions from a key summary table. The move was described in an emotional statement to the Plenary by a senior climate scientist as an "act of scientific vandalism". Without the warming graph the table of impacts lacks a context to show when the projected impacts would occur.
In another development China and Saudi Arabia forced the weakening of a key finding on the effects of recent warming on natural systems. The original finding was that:
Based on observational evidence from all continents and most oceans, there is [very] high confidence that many natural systems, are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases.
China and Saudi Arabia insisted in the removal of "very" although the confidence in the findings was more than 99.9%. The watered down conclusion was adopted over the top of fundamental scientific objections by the scientists who authored the IPCC report.
We believe that this was unprecedented in the history of the IPCC since 1988, and was an ugly and damaging development. To our knowledge there have been no similar acts in the history of the IPCC.
It's not too late
Greenpeace is calling for global emissions to peak by 2020 and fall rapidly thereafter ensuring at least a 50 percent reduction globally from 1990 levels by the year 2050, and eliminate fossil fuel emissions before the end of the 21st century.
"We still have options," said Tunmore. "There is still time for an energy revolution that will dramatically transform our energy system and create a carbon free economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a level that keeps the global average temperature increase well below 2 degrees C, avoiding the most catastrophic impacts."
"The one option that is clearly no longer open to us after this report is to continue to sit on our hands and do nothing."
the South American in this post map was produced by myself and posted into my web page. I have no problem with people using the material I put on the web but it would nice if the source was fully acknoweledged.
www.biochange-lab.eu
Miguel Araújo
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