A new study out says vulnerable countries could sue the United
States and other industrialized nations for action on climate
change. The report, published by the Foundation for
International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD), based
in the United Kingdom, says small island nations and other
threatened countries have the right and likely the procedural
means to pursue an inter-state case before the United Nations'
International Court of Justice. "Some of these countries are
getting increasingly desperate," Christoph Schwarte, the paper's
lead author, said. With little movement toward a new global
climate change treaty, he said, many leaders are looking for
ways to make the United States and others understand the threats
they face from rising sea levels, droughts and storm surges.
"They need to see some movement; otherwise, their existence is
under threat," Schwarte said. "If nothing significant happens
within the next two or three years, I really wouldn't be
surprised if countries go to court. There's a