Climate science to policy and back to science

Human activities are touted as being the principal cause for the earth's changing climate. Due to the long lead time for climate adjustment, it will continue to change through this century. There is a need for an integrated response tof reducing greenhouse gas emissions while adapting to the changing climate. This article discussed political attention toward climate change as well as debates that have focused on emission reduction targets. The Climate Convention was discussed in detail, with particular reference to the Climate Convention Workshop on the Adaptation Fund in spring 2006, which recommended that greenhouse gas mitigation coupled with adaptation measures, be integrated into broader sustainable development objectives such as economic development, energy security, public health, air quality and local environmental protection. Environmental effects and impacts of greenhouse gas as well as long-term emission reduction targets were identified. Several impacts that were discussed were temperature changes as a result of rising sea levels; increased frequency of heat waves; heavy precipitation events; intense tropical cyclones and areas affected by droughts; challenges projected for crops that are near the warm end of their suitable range; and, the costs of recent droughts. In addition, disturbances from pests, diseases and fire are projected to have increasing impacts on forests, with an extended period of high fire risk and large increases in area burned as well as barren vast stretches of Canadian forests as a result of the western pine beetle. It was concluded that further research is needed to support an adaptation strategy and to guide longer-term emission reductions