Are we at risk from climate change?

1:48 PM Wednesday Mar 26, 2008

Earth's temperature is likely to jump nearly 3.24C between now and the end of the century even if every country cuts greenhouse gas emissions as proposed, according to a United Nations update.

Scientists looked at emission plans from 192 nations and calculated what would happen to global warming. The projections take into account 80 per cent pollution cuts from the US and Europe by 2050, which are not sure things.

The US figure is based on legislation that passed the House of Representatives but is running into resistance in the Senate, where debate has been delayed by healthcare reform efforts.

Are we at risk from climate change? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

bensan (New Zealand) | 01:11PM Wednesday, 26 Mar 2008

In the past geological history, the Earth has gone through many climatic changes, as can be verified. When 30% of the world is covered by land and the total population is only a mere blot on it, what does the scientific fraternity think it can do to change the climate of this world? We are in comparison, infinitesimal and for mankind to think, it has it in its power to change nature, is narcissistic. We all exhale CO2 and all living organisms do and it has never been in mankinds power to bring about changes in nature. That is puffery of an incredible level.

Ben Dabin (United Kingdom) | 02:13PM Wednesday, 26 Mar 2008

The end of the world is coming, but the question is when? My grandad tells me that he remembers seeing ice shelfs videos collasping in school in his day, so it's nothing new. But I feel that the rate at which they are collapsing is much greater now than it has ever been, hundreds or half a century ago, it's becoming a more common sight. My only worry is that polliticans lack the will power and vision to tackle catastrophic climate change for our children's and grand children's future. The Uk pm ('Gordon Brown') is more concerned about trying to grab other people's money and use it for his own personal benefit by means of so called green tax which does nothing to prevent climate change. The NZ government is no different when it comes to these issues aswell. They are more interested in selling off the NZ oil reverses to massive oil companies and increasing further expansion in the Great South Basin, making us more dependant on fossil fuels. All for what? Money!. The economy is more important to governments than our own survial. What they should be doing is trying to make it easy for us to be eco friendly. Such as spending more money into public transport, making products more recylcabe, generating electricity from renewable energy sources, making electric cars cheaper, make cycling on our roads safer and buying furniture that dosen't come from rainforests.

Whanganui it is (New Zealand) | 02:37PM Wednesday, 26 Mar 2008

In my humble opinion we're not,climate change is just another scam to lighten our wallets further. I often wonder if those high flying jets I see over us leaving condensation trails that don't evaporate soon after being spewed from their rear, and turn a fine sunny day into haze have anything to do with this scam. I think they call them chemtrails, and they are quite well documented on independent news sites, it's called weather manipulation. And it's highly illegal,and morally c******.