Global Warming To Hit World's Poor: Report

Climate Change Summary Says Asia And Africa Will See Danger, Death, And Extinction Of Species Unless Countries Adapt

(CBS/AP)  Global warming's effects now still may be more pesky than catastrophic. But a new scientific report says that when the Earth gets a few degrees hotter, inconvenience will give way to danger, death and extinction of species.

The world faces increased hunger and water shortages in the poorest countries, massive floods and avalanches in Asia, and species extinction unless nations adapt to climate change and halt its progress, according to a report approved Friday by an international conference on global warming.

The poorest parts of the world, especially Africa and Asia, will be hit hardest, says the summary from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issued Friday after a long, contentious editing session.

Poor countries argue that they will suffer due to global warming caused by greenhouse gasses produced in the rich industrial world. At the same time, they're being told not to produce more greenhouse gasses of their own as they try to industrialize their way out of poverty, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips.

But, despite an all-night session described as very contentious, the major thrusts of the report could not be watered down. It concludes that those who are already suffering most in this world are going to suffer worst due to global warming.

"Don't be poor in a hot country, don't live in hurricane alley, watch out about being on the coasts or in the Arctic, and it's a bad idea to be on high mountains with glaciers melting," said Stanford University scientist Stephen Schneider, an author of the study.

The 23-page document, the first part released of the full 1,572-page document written and reviewed by 441 scientists, and the second of four reports, tries to explain how global warming is changing life on Earth.

The Bush administration remains opposed to mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions, CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer reports. It prefers international cooperation to curb pollution. The president has argued that the mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions would hurt the economy.

Even though some of the scientists' direst prose was toned down or lost, the panel's report was gloomy — with a bit of hope at the end.

Africa by 2020 is looking at an additional 75 to 250 million people going thirsty because of climate change, the report said. Deadly diarrhea diseases "primarily associated with floods and droughts are expected to rise" in Asia because of global warming, the report said.

But many changes to the report, made during a meeting of government negotiators from more than 120 countries, play down some of the dangers forecast by the authors — all eminent scientists.

"Many millions more people are projected to be flooded every year due to sea-level rise by the 2080s," the report said. "The numbers affected will be the largest in the mega-deltas of Asia and Africa while small islands are especially vulnerable."

The draft version proposed by scientists had said "hundreds of millions" of people would be vulnerable to flooding, rather than "many millions."

The final report also dropped any mention of the possibility that up to 120 million people are at risk of hunger because of global warming, referring instead to "complex localized negative impacts on small holders, subsidence farmers and fishers."

The first few degrees increase in global temperature will actually increase global food supply, but then it will plummet, according to the report.

An increase of just about 2 degrees Fahrenheit could mean "up to 30 percent of the species at increasing risk of extinction," the report said. If the globe heats a few more degrees, that changes to "significant extinctions around the globe."

"The poorest of the poor in the world — and this includes poor people in prosperous societies — are going to be the worst hit," said Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the climate change panel. "People who are poor are least able to adapt to climate change."

But even rich countries, such as the United States, say the report tells them what to watch for.

The report came as no surprise to many in the American West, where devastatingly costly wildfires have become the norm, reports CBS News correspondent Jerry Bowen. In just 34 years, the average time between discovery and control of wildfires has gone from seven and a half to 37 days, and the length of the fire season has increased by more than two and a half months.

The head of the U.S. delegation, White House associate science adviser Sharon Hays, said a key message she is taking from Brussels to Washington is "that these projected impacts are expected to get more pronounced at higher temperatures. ... Not all projected impacts are negative."

[pussylib]

I cant believe they have let it go this long. All these years of warnings yet we still lived our lives disconnected from the glaring truth.

Were all going to die just because we wouldnt switch to florescent's and drive hybrids. Havent any of you learned that SCIENCE IS GOD??

americans are blind by the "christ is coming back so who cares" evangelicals. Come on, wake up! That sh$t is dogma and we are living on a real planet that requires real taking care of!

[dlpracer]

What your NOT hearing here:

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says there can be little doubt that humans are responsible for warming the planet, but the organization has reduced its overall estimate of this effect by 25 per cent.

The IPCC has been forced to halve its predictions for sea-level rise by 2100, one of the key threats from climate change. It says improved data have reduced the upper estimate from 34 in to 17 in.

It also says that the overall human effect on global warming since the industrial revolution is less than had been thought, due to the unexpected levels of cooling caused by aerosol sprays, which reflect heat from the sun.

Hmmm, with this trend the next IPCC report in 5 years will have us fearing for global cooling.

Stand by as the MSM ramps up its efforts to blame everything from animal allergies to lost honey bees on global warming. I can see the day that Katie will be standing outside the studio during a spring shower lamenting that global warming is causing the rain drops to be smaller than years prior...oh whoa is us.

Fear sells almost as good as *** does.

Dave

[aaabee-2009]

"The president has argued that the mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions would hurt the economy."

...hurt HIS ecomony, he means.

We need to get this loser bunch out of the White House so men and women with vision can get in there and actually work for the betterment of mankind, not just the betterment of already-wealthy oilmen's wallets.

[aaabee-2009]

"It is the poorest of the poor in the world who are going to be worst hit, least able to adapt," said Pachauri.

Bush and Cheney will not suffer.
Bush and Cheny eat all the best foods while others watch their children go hungry and battle droughts that kill their crops and livlihoods and cattle.
Bush and Cheney sip nice clean water every day while others walk miles to get any water at all.
Bush and Cheney sleep surrounded by security in luxury. Others sleep in war zones.
Bush and Cheney wield power, power they use to benefit their cronies and themselves, manipulating the global influence of the US, not to lead the way for positive change, but to do nothing at all, while the rest of the world suffers.
Bush and Cheney will not suffer.

[omega39-2009]

Lets review, our prez says creationism is real because someone wrote it in a 2000 year old book. Global warming on the other hand, supported by reams of documentation, including plenty by NASA, is a fairy tale. The only thing that remains to be seen is will the beach front occupying no government services crowd demand a government bail out when their estates are under water?

[aaabee-2009]

"The lead U.S. official at the meeting, Sharon Hays, said climate change is a global challenge that needs more study."


Probably no more than about 2 years worth of study, say until January 2009.

[clestes-2009]

Science in this area is evolving. Determination of the certainty that scientists can place any particular finding is important

Bush is still trying to cast doubt on the validity of the science on earth warming. He is a MORON who has done nothing but damage to this planet and its populations of people and wildlife.

He is stupid beyond belief. The worse president in our history and should be up on charges of mass murder for the 650,000 dead in Iraq. By the time his presidency is over the number of dead directly or indirectly caused by him will be millions.

[dlpracer]

Probably no more than about 2 years worth of study, say until January 2009.

Posted by AaaBee...

I personally can't wait for the dems to get in office. Nothing will really change, but folks like you will stop the endless wailing and knashing-of-teeth pontificating that says nothing except that your life is totally controlled by the media.

If you think things are going to be better when unrealistics regs are put on carbon output, the oil companies are forced to sell gas at $1/gal, and drug companies must limit their research because of universal health care, then you have never talked to someone who lived through the depression years.

Have fun with your government run life.

Dave

[omega39-2009]

Have fun with your government run life.

Dave
Posted by dlpracer a

Since the government is already going through my bank account, scrutinizingly my Google searches, reading my emails, listening in on my phone calls, keeping tabs on what books I check out of the library and inspecting my shoes, I don't believe the threat of things "getting worse" is really viable.

[aaabee-2009]

Let Dave live back in the old days, when nothing was like it is now. Using the Depression as a reference point for the fast-paced technologically advanced global economy of today is apples and oranges.

DAve, you are predicting doom and gloom for our future for some reasons you feel strongly about. Well, so are these scientists, who may actually be qualified to make some long term predictions in this particular field. Unless you are equally qualified in economic and evironmental trend modelling, I don't think your political-biased doom tactics carry any weight. But talk on, speech is free. You are free to whine like those you complain against.

As for whatever president we get, I hope he or she is the BEST one for advancing the causes of humanity, you know clean air, clean water, health care, pollution reduction, those sorts of things. If we get an '08 candidate like that, their party affiliation won't be important.

[mbcsmith]

This dubious science will cost us $trillions$ before it is bebunked. Hang on to your wallets folks, the scientific community has it's hand out.

[rf35]

I was going to post a few thoughtful lines but then realized there is no point. The neocons will still believe GW is a hoax or fairy tale, the libs will still cry about the end of the world and call to stop all carbon output...what's a moderate to do?

[dlpracer]

omega39

If you are participating in a modern society and think that your life is stealth, you are living a myth. Do you have a credit card, use a bank, register purchases, buy extended warranties, have a loyality card, use the internet, shop online, own a cell phone, fly commercial??

What Uncle Sam knows about you is fractional compared to what business knows about your habits and movements. And it is all for sale.

Privacy compared to 30 years ago is non existent and we did it to ourselves. Blaming GWB is just another canard the left uses to make them look like they are not a part of the big picture. Sorry they are ALL players in the evil government you speak of.

Dave

[bigsk8fan]

"This dubious science will cost us $trillions$ before it is bebunked." Posted by MBCSMITH

It is a non-thinking and obstinate base that W relies on to perpetuate his own brand of "fear, uncertainty, and doubt". W has repeatedly said since he came in office that the "science" was in doubt. Well, to the scientifically educated, not in doubt anymore than "evolution". Unfortunately, MBCSMITH did not get the memo that W now accepts UN scientific reports on global warming. Just not enough to pay one thin dime more to help resolve it. Just check out news on W's state of the union address:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/24/usnews/whispers/main2396282.shtml?source=search_story

[zykracosmos]

We are already in the midst of dramatic climate change caused by the millions of tons of CO2 we've pumped into the atmosphere, and it is incomprehensible that there is still anyone left to defend a fossil fuel based energy grid. Big changes are coming in the climate, and that is inevitable. Whether or not we survive at all depends upon our ability to effect major changes in our energy production immediately, and establish global cooperation with countries like China and India to encourage and/or pressure them to convert with the rest of us. Disaster is now unavoidable, but we can still play a role in determining how bad it will be, and we can postpone the worst of it, buying time to find the technologies to reabsorb and sequester the greenhouse gasses we have so negligently released into the atmosphhere. The world is already over its natural carrying capacity for human population, and 25% of the world's people don't have enough to eat. We will almost certainly see a collapse of the numbers we have today from the ecological destruction that will accompany human-induced climate change. Only two countries in the world will benefit from this catastrophe- Canada and Russia, where growing seasons will be extended and where more than half of the world's fresh water exists. Fresh water will be like gold in a few years. Anyone who isn't paying attention today, will be caught in the calamities to come.

[aaabee-2009]

"...what's a moderate to do?"

rf35, post a few thoughtful lines! If you don't stick up for what you believe in, the loud talkers and the big walkers are going to take it away from you for no more reason than they can.

Think kindergarden. Don't lettum see you wet your pants.

[dlpracer]

ZykraCosmos

Not ONE item you stated is based on current science. It is hysterical projections based on media hype...which by-the-way sells papers, boosts ratings and makes media folks a lot of money.

Calm down, take you meds and enjoy the moment.

Dave

[rf35]

Right...

This may shock some people, but I think that one good thing may come of global climate change: the Earth%u2019s population could plunge. Why is this good? For starters, the primary reason this is going on at all is the gross overpopulation of the planet. More people, more energy, food, and fresh water consumption. More land cleared for agriculture and living space. More forests destroyed for building material and to make room for farming and cattle grazing. Even before the alarms of global warming began to blare, I have advocated population reduction. I have contributed to the Foundation for Negative Population Growth and made the decision not to add to the problem by having children of my own. If the human population is slashed due to the effects of GW, then so be it. It may be the only thing that will bring the number of people on Earth back to a sustainable level. Yes, there will be suffering; there will be famine and water shortages and all the rest, and that is unfortunate. We have pushed this planet beyond its limit to provide for us. Now the planet is fighting back. Earth will heal herself in time. Humanity will continue. Let us hope that future generations learn from our mistakes and don%u2019t repeat them.

[wdrussell1]

All opposed raise your hands.

The United States, China and Saudi Arabia raised the most objections to the phrasing, most often seeking to tone down the certainty of some of the more dire projections.

The real axis of evil

[aaabee-2009]

This may shock some people, but I think that one good thing may come of global climate change: the Earth%u2019s population could plunge. Why is this good? rf35

rf35, I am not shocked. Can we start depopulating the planet with your death? Your family, kids, dog?

These are human beings, you dolt. People. With lives, cares, and others who need and count on them.

Don't wish on others what you yourself wouldn't stand up to do. You wish to see a smaller population, don't have children yourself. Advocate birth control in grammer schools. Tell others not to have more than one or two kids. Lets see how far you are willing to go to back up your statements.

[rf35]

AaaBee,

You wanted me to state my opinion, then you attack it? Interesting. And did you read beyond the first line of my post? I AM forgoing having childern, and the organization I regularly contribute to is currently urging people, through education, to limit themselves to having no more than two kids.

I don't own a dog.

The human race made its bed, now we must ALL lay in it.

[jimfinster]

AaaBee:

Human population growth is totally out of control. Natural resources are being consumed at an unsustainable rate. This is fact.

[jimfinster]

rf35:

Human population may plunge, and we could debate the desirability of that outcome. But also consider the other outcomes. Many ecosystems will surely be destroyed, and a large percentage of species will go extinct.

[aaabee-2009]

I don't recall asking for your opinion.

What you said, and yes I read it all, was very unsympathetic. There is no good side to depopulating a planet by catastrophic means.

Your loved ones could well be in the areas affected. Try being a bit more empathetic and a bit less vocal about opinions such as those if you don't wish to get called on them.

By the way, I agree with you. The population is too large. But women feel entitled to have children. How on earth would we pick and choose who gets to have them and who doesn't. Population control in China worked but at a horrible price. Would only the rich get to reproduce? Too many children are unwanted but they are still coming. In this day and age of multiple methods of birth control, that there are still unwanted pregnancies is ridiculous.

I don't have any children. Those that make that decision too will pay for it, in a toll of social acceptance and critical attitudes toward childless people. Far too much that doesn't fit in the conservative idea of "normal" is ridiculed and cast out to the fringes of society.

[dlpracer]

AaaBee says:

I don't have any children. Those that make that decision too will pay for it, in a toll of social acceptance and critical attitudes toward childless people. Far too much that doesn't fit in the conservative idea of "normal" is ridiculed and cast out to the fringes of society.

Huh??

Since when are childless couples "ridiculed and cast out to the fringes of society". Sounds like you have a complex that needs attention by a specialist.

Your generalization couldn't be more inaccurate and bordering on delusional.

Dave

P.S. If you are going to post a comment, you relinquish your right to NOT get someone else's opinion.

[aaabee-2009]

You wanted me to state my opinion, then you attack it? rf35

rf35 said the above. I stated I did not ask.

Could you at least read the posts before accusing me?

"Your generalization couldn't be more inaccurate and bordering on delusional." Dave

I call you on this. I would like to know what your basis of experience is in the arena of being a childless woman? Then once I have heard your expert opinion in that, I will share with you mine AS a childless woman.

[jimfinster]

Almost any global issue you can name is the result of too many people. That is, an ever increasing population chasing an ever decreasing resource. For example: wood products (ie deforestation), oil (ie Middle East conflicts and our present occupation of Iraq), mineral extraction (ie widespread landscape devestation and water pollution).

This is the elephant in the room that everyone tries to ignore.

[aaabee-2009]

I agree with you. The population is too large. But women feel entitled to have children. How on earth would we pick and choose who gets to have them and who doesn't. Population control in China worked but at a horrible price. Would only the rich get to reproduce? Too many children are unwanted but they are still coming. In this day and age of multiple methods of birth control, that there are still unwanted pregnancies is ridiculous.

People feel entitled to alot of things. They don't want to be the ones to sacrifice so others can have more, and children is one of the biggest issues.

[jimfinster]

AaaBee:

Clearly population reduction will not be accomplished voluntary. It will happen via famine, war, and disease. Climate change will simply accelerate these processes.

[middleman8]

mbcsmith:
I was born and raised in Iowa, spent 4yrs in military service(51 to 55). was raised under same propaganda as yourself,ok.

[stupidhuman1]

the earth will puke back at the human overpopulation burdens placed on it....
balance will again be achieved in a new climate.(hotter and flooded....yes, with less people)
I may be a stupidHuman female...but I KNEW better years ago to never to spread my legs for the sake of making and shooting out another human to increase the population or to leave a child to a future where so many uneducated/poor peoples were over-reproducing.

[stupidhuman1]

some dirty Nuke bombs set off by terrorists in several political/religous hot spots in Middle East and Asia where tensions are already high, could reduce population, somewhat...
sad...but just a thought on humans and how self-righteousness can take care of overpopulation

[jebby_one]

the oldest political trick in the book !

The world will end unless you do what I tell you to.

[jebby_one]

neo-commies want to replace God with .... themselves.

[hawksprings]

The politicians of the world are sharks who smell blood in the water with this human-caused Global Warming hysteria.

They will not stop until they have MORE control and MORE taxes on us their subjects, and they will say the world is ending unless we bend over and let them have their way.

That's what this is all about.


...

[oswaldoernesto]

This planet is not just warming it is extremely hot already with billions having *** and overpopulating it to extiction.

[hawksprings]

didntinhale, we DID elect Gore, but those mean old racist, homophobic, women-hating, slave-owning white Founding Fathers instituted that evil electoral college knowing that it would defeat Algore someday.

[oswaldoernesto]

This planet is not just warming it is extremely hot already with billions having s e x and overpopulating it to extiction.It seems CBS has a problem with the word S E X. Give me a break !!

[space_poet]

Yeh, didntinhale, here you are in another thread saying the stupidist things know to man. Lets keep destroying our Earth, its what God put us here for, right? Wipe your butt with mother nature, who the hell cares who deals with your mess in the end, right?! Kill all the species, we are the only important one, RIGHT?!?! Screw this Earth, it doesn't matter, RIGHT?!?!?!?!

[mbcsmith]

mbcsmith:
I was born and raised in Iowa, spent 4yrs in military service(51 to 55). was raised under same propaganda as yourself,ok.
Posted by middleman8 at 02:41 PM : Apr 06, 2007

Which propaganda??

[rf35]

"...what's a moderate to do?"

rf35, post a few thoughtful lines! If you don't stick up for what you believe in, the loud talkers and the big walkers are going to take it away from you for no more reason than they can.

Think kindergarden. Don't lettum see you wet your pants.
Posted by AaaBee at 11:33 AM : Apr 06, 2007

On the population subject, I hope people come to realize that this is a problem and willingly take steps to stabilize and eventually reduce it. I don%u2019t think the government mandating a limit would be accepted or would be really enforceable, so I%u2019m not advocating that. Like you said, the rich would find ways around it anyway. Child offset credits or something equally inane. I feel the best course would be education on the threats overpopulation poses and finding ways to make not having children more socially acceptable. The only government involvement I could see would be in the form of something along the lines of tax credits for childless couples and changes in programs that encourage people to have more children such as the welfare system.

[draugwolf]

keep buying those SUV's American morons ....god what a bunch of mouthbreathers you people are...

[hawksprings]

Oh Space_Poet, what a ridiculous rant.

We're not destroying the Earth.

For all of my 42 years I've constantly been told that in TEN YEARS we'll all be dead,
in TEN YEARS there will be no more clean air,
in TEN YEARS there will be no more clean water to drink,
in TEN YEARS we'll run out of food,
in TEN YEARS we'll be dead of bird flu, swine flu, mad cow disease...

We live on the most miraculous, incredible planet in the universe.
Humanity will survive and thrive, especially where freedom is allowed.

[clestes-2009]

Anyone who thinks global warming and climate change is a joke just stick around. It is no joke and will cause misery untold.

But naysayers don't care. You haven't an ounce of compassion for anyone other than yourselves, continuing living the same extragavent lifestyles, driving your care 2 blocks instead of walking. Continue your support of Bush and his friends, who have already made their millions.

Guess what, ***. You think Bush is going to care when your lifestyle goes? No way! He is going to be safe, locked away in some room for the mentally ill, which is what he is, but guarded all the same.

You can burn in hell for all he cares, and so you will too.

[rf35]

Jebby_One,

Bush IS God, or didn't you hear when he proclaimed it? Maybe you were revving the engine in your SUV at the time.

[hawksprings]

""Guess what, ***. You think Bush is going to care when your lifestyle goes? No way! He is going to be safe, locked away in some room for the mentally ill, which is what he is, but guarded all the same.
You can burn in hell for all he cares, and so you will too. """
Posted by clestes

And where will Algore be when your lifestyle goes away, clestes?

He'll be living high in one of his mansions, relaxing by his heated pool telling you to keep conserving and doing with less.

[sharncedar]

It's kind of funny - global warming will hit the poor harder. What exactly does that mean? If the poor are defined as those with less access to resources, then yes, it is a simple tautology to say that those with less resources will have less resources.

But what this propaganda article is trying to imply is that today's poor will be hit harder by tomorrow' crisis, when nothing can be further from the truth. Tomorrow's "poor" will not be today's "poor". For example they use rising disease rates. But today's poor are already dwelling with malaria and cholera and etc., and they are becoming immune to these diseases. Today's rich, however, rely on generally cleaner living standards and better industrialized medicine. It is precisely those high-end services which will be most impacted by crisis. Today's poor will be alive, today's rich will be dead of these diseases, they have no immunity.

So this article is another Hitler big lie by the rich, trying to motivate the rest of us to give a *** about their worthless lives.

[kesac4650]

It might be nice when Greenland is green again. We might have an increase in literature and the arts and education, just like the last time the earth warmed, during the medieval heat wave.
I am curious though, why the same people predicting all of these bad things coming our way, are still wanting us to pump more money into New Orleans?

[brianp55]

I wouldn't take this report as gospel. There are many scientists who dispute both the cause of global warming and the diastrousness of its effects. Read the book by Fred Singer.