A joint statement signed by top scientific academies from G8 countries as well as Brazil, India and China, is urging the G8 nations to do something about global warming before it is too late. The Independent has an article about the statement and points out the statement was also signed by Bruce Alberts, president of the US National Academy of Sciences.
"The scientific understanding of climate change is now sufficiently clear to justify nations taking prompt action. It is vital that all nations identify cost-effective steps that they can take now to contribute to substantial and long-term reduction in net global greenhouse gas emissions," the statement says.
In a veiled reference to President Bush's reluctance to accept climate change by claiming that the science is unclear, the academies emphasise that action is needed now to reduce the build-up of greenhouse gases.
"A lack of full scientific certainty about some aspects of climate change is not a reason for delaying an immediate response that will, at a reasonable cost, prevent dangerous anthropogenic [man-made] interference with the climate system," the statement says.
"We urge all nations... to take prompt action to reduce the causes of climate change, adapt to its impacts and ensure that the issue is included in all relevant national and international strategies."
The Independent article also says the Tony Blair has failed to make any progress in getting President Bush to agree to an international effort to combat global warming. To make things worse it was recently reported that a White House official was editing climate-related documents to downplay the significance of global warming.
