The causes of climate change, its intensity and the future effects on mankind are far from settled, say a growing number of climate scientists.
The popular "global warming" theory touted by politicians, the media, and the majority of scientists, says that the observed heating-up of the Earth is a result of increases in man-made greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide - the products of industrialisation.
The predicted results are more violent weather, melting of the polar ice caps and sea-level rise. Urgent action is, therefore, needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop climate change.
Earth Changes
Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis: Mother Nature seems to have it in for our world these days.
In a way, though, we live in a relatively peaceful time. While it's no comfort to those hurting or grieving now, Earth saw far greater catastrophes in its long and troubled past.
The planet has been frozen, roasted, smothered, battered, shaken, half-drowned. Entire species have been obliterated; so far, fortunately, that doesn't include Homo sapiens, but we've had a close call.
And these are all natural calamities, not those caused by humans, such as war, terrorism or the Holocaust.
In a way, though, we live in a relatively peaceful time. While it's no comfort to those hurting or grieving now, Earth saw far greater catastrophes in its long and troubled past.
The planet has been frozen, roasted, smothered, battered, shaken, half-drowned. Entire species have been obliterated; so far, fortunately, that doesn't include Homo sapiens, but we've had a close call.
And these are all natural calamities, not those caused by humans, such as war, terrorism or the Holocaust.
Some of the world's major rivers are reaching crisis point because of dams, shipping, pollution and climate change, according to the environment group WWF.
Its report, World's Top 10 Rivers at Risk, says the river "crisis" rivals climate change in importance.
Its report, World's Top 10 Rivers at Risk, says the river "crisis" rivals climate change in importance.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (KUNA) -- Indonesia has raised the alert level on Mount Talang, Sumatra Island, after increase in rising columns of smoke and tremors in the area.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A mix of mud, acidic water and rocks tore down the slope of a volcano in New Zealand on Sunday, bursting through a 23-foot wall of volcanic ash and sand built up in an eruption 12 years ago.
DROUGHT-BREAKING rains across eastern Australia have been predicted in new modelling by a scientist who believes massive pulses in the sun's magnetic field are helping to drive the Earth's climate systems.
BRUSSELS - The United States must act to cap its emissions of greenhouse gases and join the fight against climate change or risk losing global leadership, a former CIA director said in a report released on Monday.
"The United States must adopt a carbon emission control policy," John Deutch, head of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1995-96, said in a report to the Trilateral Commission, a grouping of business and opinion leaders from Europe, the United States and Asia.
"The United States must adopt a carbon emission control policy," John Deutch, head of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1995-96, said in a report to the Trilateral Commission, a grouping of business and opinion leaders from Europe, the United States and Asia.
PHOENIX -- For the fifth consecutive day, the mercury sweated out another record high temperature.
It was 94 degrees Sunday, breaking the old record for the date of 91 degrees set in 2004.
Sunday morning's low of 65 degrees also established a record for the warmest minimum temperature for the date, breaking the old mark of 62 set in 2004.
It was 94 degrees Sunday, breaking the old record for the date of 91 degrees set in 2004.
Sunday morning's low of 65 degrees also established a record for the warmest minimum temperature for the date, breaking the old mark of 62 set in 2004.
VIENNA, Austria - It looks like a color-coded terror alert scale - and meteorologically speaking, that's exactly what it is. With climate change making conditions more unpredictable, national weather services from across the European Union have joined forces to create http://www.meteoalarm.eu - a new Web site providing up-to-the-minute information on "extreme weather" across the continent.
The initiative, managed by Austria's Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics, is designed to give Europeans a single source for details on flash floods, severe thunderstorms, gale-force winds, heat waves, blizzards and other violent weather that poses a threat to life or property.
The initiative, managed by Austria's Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics, is designed to give Europeans a single source for details on flash floods, severe thunderstorms, gale-force winds, heat waves, blizzards and other violent weather that poses a threat to life or property.
Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice, wrote Robert Frost. But whatever is to be our fate, it is now overdue.
After analysing the eradication of millions of ancient species, scientists have found that a mass extinction is due any moment now.
Their research has shown that every 62 million years - plus or minus 3m years - creatures are wiped from the planet's surface in massive numbers.
After analysing the eradication of millions of ancient species, scientists have found that a mass extinction is due any moment now.
Their research has shown that every 62 million years - plus or minus 3m years - creatures are wiped from the planet's surface in massive numbers.
