Top British Scientist Says Adaptation Only Real Solution For Climate Change
Pastor Dale Morgan
Top British Scientist Says Adaptation Only Real Solution For Climate Change*
UPI Correspondent
London (UPI) Sep 06, 2006
The British Association for the Advancement of Science says the world
must focus on preparing for the "hotter, drier world" that global
warming will bring. Association President Frances Cairncross said
politicians and environmentalists put too much emphasis on trying to
prevent climate change and not enough on adapting the world to the
warmer temperatures it will bring, The Times of London reported Monday.
"Adaptation policies have had far less attention than mitigation, and
that is a mistake," she said.
"We need to think about policies that prepare for a hotter, drier world,
especially in poorer countries. That may involve, for instance,
developing new crops, constructing flood defenses, setting different
building regulations or banning building close to sea level."
Cairncross said efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions are important,
but she said a significant degree of warming is likely even if a global
agreement is reached to limit carbon dioxide emissions.
She said prevention and adaptation measures should go hand in hand.
"There are some things that we can't adapt: We can't relocate the Amazon
rainforest or replace bleached coral reefs, but we have to think about
adaptation with mitigation," she said.
Source: United Press International