The Anatomy of A Silent Crisis The Anatomy of A Silent Crisis

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Human impact of climate change is irrefutable, even if difficult to measure
precisely
Evidence that climate change is a present reality is unequivocal
Global warming is occurring and human-driven emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases, as well as land-use change, are primarily responsible. Given current trends, temperature extremes,
heat waves and heavy rains are expected to continue to escalate in both frequency and intensity, and
the earth’s temperature and seas will continue to rise. These conclusions lie at the heart of a 2007 report
issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s foremost scientific body
for the study of climate change. The IPCC was set up to provide an authoritative international statement
of scientific understanding of climate change. Its reports are written by a team of authors nominated by
UNEP and WMO member states or accredited organizations and are based on consensus and input from
hundreds of international experts.
“ There is a very human tendency to wish away such
> The
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human impact of
climate change —
Already serious today
dire prognostications and even to question the
underlying science. But the science is now quite
firm. People need to be told how it will affect them
in their country and why they need to worry about it
now rather than at some later time.”
Nitin Desai — Member, Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change, India;
Distinguished Fellow, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)