Fed: UN report set to put more pressure on govt over climate

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2007
Fed: UN report set to put more pressure on govt over climate

Pressure is mounting on the Australian government to take more immediate action to
combat climate change .. with tonight's release of a United Nations report predicting
potentially catastrophic temperature rises.

The report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will be released in Paris
at 7;30 (AEDT) tonight.

It's the combined findings of about 800 climate change scientists around the world
.. and one of the most significant updates on the issue in recent years.

It's expected to predict global warming will cause billions of dollars of damage to
coastal areas from rising sea levels.

Australian of the Year TIM FLANNERY says the IPCC's likely prediction of a three-degree
Celsius temperature rise is conservative and in fact could be double that figure.

He says that would result in truly catastrophic conditions for all life on earth.

Professor FLANNERY says the report's predictions on the consequences of global warming
are middle of the road .. but are still a useful benchmark for the world to tackle climate
change.

Greenpeace Australia chief executive STEVE SHALLHORN says parliament must next week
examine clean .. safe and viable energy solutions.

And WWF-Australia chief executive GREG BOURNE says Australia's greenhouse gas emissions
must start falling by 2010 to stand any chance of avoiding catastrophic consequences.

AAP RTV dep/sb/bart

KEYWORD: CLIMATE AUST (CANBERRA)

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