Expect climate 'surprises,' UA (University of Arizona) expert says

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http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/280245

Expect climate 'surprises,' UA expert says

By Evan Pellegrino
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.14.2009

CHICAGO — It's time to expect the unexpected.

The director of UA's Institute for Environment and Society issued the warning Friday with two other experts during a symposium to address climate change.

The debate on why the world is warming has ended, according to the presenting scientists. Now that it's established that humans at least partially responsible, they say, it's critical to focus on how climate change might affect life in the 21st century and what can be done to manage the impacts.

But while society anticipates changes, it must also be aware that the predictions are shrouded with uncertainties and likely underestimated, the scientists said.

"Be prepared for surprises," said Jonathan Overpeck, director of the University of Arizona's Institute for Environment and Society, one of three speakers at the symposium, titled "Global Change and Paleoecology: Ecological Responses to Environmental Change."

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http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/