Failure to tackle climate peril 'criminally irresponsible', IPCC told

[babylonsister]

Failure to tackle climate peril 'criminally irresponsible', IPCC told
12/11/2007 18h46
©AFP/File - Giuseppe Cacace


VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) - The Nobel-winning panel of world climate experts on Monday launched a debate over a landmark report after a top UN official warned any failure to curb global warming would be "criminally irresponsible."

"The effects of climate change are being felt already," Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said.

"Climate change will hit hardest the poorest and most vulnerable countries. Its overall effect, however, will be felt by everyone and will in some cases threaten people's very survival."

"Failing to recognize the urgency of this message and acting on it would be nothing less than criminally irresponsible," he said.

De Boer was speaking at the start of a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The UN forum of scientists, economists and other experts won this year's Nobel Peace Prize alongside climate campaigner and former US president Al Gore.

The document to be issued on Saturday distills a 2,500-page, three-volume assessment issued earlier this year -- the first such review since 2001 -- into a 25-page synthesis for policymakers.

more...

http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/071112180844.2dvsp1ws.html

[DangerDave921]

1. Jail?

Does this mean jail time for people who don't tackle the issue? Who gets jurisdiction to prosecute such cases?