Post by cerridwen on Sept 24, 2008 16:31:08 GMT
Climate experts call for new approach
ITN - Monday, September 22 06:00 pm
A more integrated approach is needed to tackle the challenges of climate change, according to an Met Office expert.
Speaking at the pioneering international conference, Dr Richard Betts, head of climate impacts at the Met's Hadley Centre, said: "Much progress has been made towards a more integrated approach, but more is needed."
Different areas of social and climate science were not working together, said Dr Betts, who told the conference at Exeter University campus: "We need a more complete picture of climate change in the future."
He said the scientific community had "worked less like a team and more like a chain of customers and suppliers in which each group regarded everything outside their own area as 'somebody else's problem."
He added: "Decisions and negotiations on the extent and nature of emissions reductions require advice on the consequences of different options, and these consequences can be complex because of the varied effects of different greenhouse gases and other influences on climate such as land surface changes."
Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, a member of the Defra-established independent Committee on Climate Change, said: "We have a great opportunity to influence what the UK does."
He added: "We are reaching a point where we have to do something," said Professor Hoskins, a world authority on climate change and weather patterns.
"By doing things now you can save carbon dioxide, and the cost would be minimal," he said.
One example was wind power in Germany, where it had "grown huge," he said, adding: "Whereas we seem to find it almost impossible."
More than 150 people of the world's leading climate change experts are attending the conference.
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ITN - Monday, September 22 06:00 pm
A more integrated approach is needed to tackle the challenges of climate change, according to an Met Office expert.
Speaking at the pioneering international conference, Dr Richard Betts, head of climate impacts at the Met's Hadley Centre, said: "Much progress has been made towards a more integrated approach, but more is needed."
Different areas of social and climate science were not working together, said Dr Betts, who told the conference at Exeter University campus: "We need a more complete picture of climate change in the future."
He said the scientific community had "worked less like a team and more like a chain of customers and suppliers in which each group regarded everything outside their own area as 'somebody else's problem."
He added: "Decisions and negotiations on the extent and nature of emissions reductions require advice on the consequences of different options, and these consequences can be complex because of the varied effects of different greenhouse gases and other influences on climate such as land surface changes."
Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, a member of the Defra-established independent Committee on Climate Change, said: "We have a great opportunity to influence what the UK does."
He added: "We are reaching a point where we have to do something," said Professor Hoskins, a world authority on climate change and weather patterns.
"By doing things now you can save carbon dioxide, and the cost would be minimal," he said.
One example was wind power in Germany, where it had "grown huge," he said, adding: "Whereas we seem to find it almost impossible."
More than 150 people of the world's leading climate change experts are attending the conference.
Email StoryIM StoryPrintable ViewBlog ThisPost a Comment