GLOBAL WARMING - TRENDS AND EFFECTS

As animals we have been a remarkably successful species; but also as a nimals we are vulnerable to environmental, in particular climate chang e. Such change is accelerating as a result of human activity, and glob al warming may already be taking place. Although we can foresee the tr ends, we cannot yet be specific about the results. Change usually proc eeds by steps rather than gradients. But warming would probably includ e new risks to human health and contribute to an increase in human dis placement. Of course climate change is only one among other complex pr oblems facing human society, but it is closely related to them all, in cluding population increase, environmental degradation and loss of bio diversity. We cannot prevent global warming but we can anticipate and mitigate some of its worst effects. Peoples and governments still need persuading of the need for action and of the magnitude of the issue a t stake.