Scientists at the World Climate Conference in Geneva have warned
the world's politicians in the strongest terms not to
underestimate the dangers of global warming and to take
immediate action to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. The
scientists' recommendations were handed this week to a meeting
of ministers from 130 countries - but the minister seem unlikely
to agree on the need for action. The scientific sessions of the
Second World Climate Conference reinforced the conclusions of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (see 'The politics
of climate: a long haul ahead', New Scientist, 27 October). They
went on to force agreements on the implications of warming for
water resources, forests, food supply, oceans and economic
development. The scientists concluded that 'nations should now
take steps towards reducing sources and increasing sinks of
greenhouse gases'. The conference advised that cutting emissions
'one to two per cent per year starting now' ... To continue
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