London, Nov 18 (ANI): A report by the United Nations has called for an immediate plan of action to prevent the worst predicted effects of global warming coming to pass.

Made by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the new report brings together elements of the three reports already released this year, on the science of climate change, impacts and adaptation, and options for mitigating the problem.

The synthesis summary finalized on November 16, strengthens the language of those earlier reports with a warning that climate change may bring abrupt and irreversible impacts, which could include the fast melting of glaciers and species extinctions.

The report’s top-line conclusions stress upon the fact that climate change due to global warming is undeniable. It also points out that humankind’s emissions of greenhouse gases are more than 90% likely to be the main cause, and that impacts can be reduced at reasonable cost.

“Climate change is here, it’s impacting our lives and our economies, and we need to do something about it,” said Hans Verolme, director of the climate change programme with the environmental group WWF (World Wildlife Fund).

As evidence of the drastic effects of global warming, WWF presented some testimonies from ‘climate change witnesses’ in various parts of the world at a news conference.

For example, Australian scientists and fishermen spoke about the changes that they were seeing on the Great Barrier Reef due to global warming.

Another testimony came from Olav Mathis Eira, a Sami reindeer herder from Norway, who said that his communities are seeing unusual weather patterns unprecedented in their history.

According to Eira, one of the most visible change is that the onset of winter in Norway is one and a half month late than it used to be earlier.

“We have also observed birds and insects that do not have a name in Sami,” added Eira.

Such anomalies in nature are clear indication of the prolonged effects of global warming.

“After this report, there are no politicians left who can argue they don’t know what climate change is or they don’t know what to do about it,” said Verolme.

“Though this is the strongest report yet by the IPCC, it says that there is still time to act,” said Bill Hare, an Australian climate scientist.

The 20-page synthesis summary by the IPCC will be accompanied by a longer, more detailed document.
The findings will feed into the next round of negotiations on the UN climate convention and Kyoto Protocol, which open in Bali on 3 December. (ANI)