Voices & visions of our future / Wangari Maathai, Philippe Cousteau
Signs of change: Warning signs : the array of extreme events in 2010 stand out among thousands of signs of climate change ; Polar changes: warming in the polar regions is driving large-scale melting of ice that will have both local and global consequences ; Shrinking glaciers : glaciers are losing mass and are in retreat ; Ocean changes : oceans are getting warmer and more acidic, affecting marine life ; Everyday extremes : the frequency of some extreme events is increasing
The changing climate: The greenhouse effect : the intensification of the greenhouse effect is driving changes in the Earth's climate ; The climate system : the entire climate system is adjusting to an increase in the heat trapped in the Earth's atmosphere ; Interpreting past climates : concentrations of CO2 and CH4 are higher than at any time in the last 650,000 years ; Forecasting future climates : global temperatures are predicted to continue rising ; Climate & social crises : climate change results from complex interactions in the natural environment, coupled with social and economic changes
Driving climate change: Emissions past & present : most greenhouse gases have been, and are, emitted to meet the needs of modern industrial societies ; Fossil fuels : the emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of climate change ; Methane & other gases : a range of greenhouse gases contribute to climate change ; Transport : international trade and travel, and dependence on motor vehicles make transport a major source of greenhouse gas emissions ; Agriculture : agriculture is a major source of emissions, and vital for economic welfare in many countries ; The carbon balance : changes in stored carbon are contributing to climate change


Expected consequences: Disrupted ecosystems : many species and ecosystems may not be able to adapt to new climatic conditions and stresses ; Water security : water scarcity has already become a major stress in some regions : climate change may raise the stress level ; Food Security : climate change threatens future agricultural development in some regions, and is benefiting others ; Threats to health : the recent increase in the number of victims, and the economic costs of weather-related health effects may be a sign of the future ; Rising sea levels : thermal expansion of oceans and melting ice will lead to a substantial rise in sea level, threatening many coastal communities ; Cities at risk ; the combined impact of changes in the climate is falling particularly hard on rapidly growing cities ; Cultural losses : climate change is threatening sites that represent the world's cultural and historical heritage
Responding to change: Urgent action to adapt : as climate change becomes more marked, the need for adaptation will be ever greater, and more difficult ; Building capacity to adapt : there is a need to develop effective strategies and actions, and to support efforts being made at all levels ; City responses : cities around the world are taking action to reduce their emissions ; Renewable energy : renewable energy sources could be the key to economically and socially sustainable societies ; Low carbon futures : economic growth needs to be achieved with lower greenhouse gas emissions, especially in developing countries ; Counting carbon : accurate accounting of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions is essential


International policy & action: International action : most countries have acknowledged the problem of climate change by signing the Convention on Climate Change ; Meeting Kyoto targets : not quite half of Annex I countries are close to meeting their Kyoto commitments, and the agreed targets fall short of what is needed ; Looking beyond Kyoto : negotiations are continuing in the search for a suitable international response in a post-Kyoto world ; Trading carbon credits : trading carbon credits encourages investment and shares the burden of reducing emissions ; Financing the response : finance for responding to climate change has improved dramatically but is still far from what is required
Committing to solutions: Personal action : people all over the world are taking measures to reduce the greenhouse gases emitted as a result of the way they live ; Public action : the policies, practices, and investments of governments, businesses, and civic organizations will have the greatest impact on our future.