A United Nations' panel says the world must begin immediately to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions thought to be bringing about climate change. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, the panel says the change will be affordable, if the world shifts away from carbon-heavy fuels like coal, improves energy efficiency and reduces deforestation.
The United Nations International Panel on Climate Change calls for global warming to be halted at 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial age levels.
The panel says the cost of reducing harmful emissions would not out of reach: at most, three percent of worldwide gross domestic product by the year 2030.
The IPCC, which brought delegates from 120 countries to Bangkok this week, released its recommendations Friday. IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri says the report demands action by both individuals and governments.
"An extremely powerful message in this report is the need for human society as a whole to start looking at changes in lifestyle and consumption patterns," said Pachauri.
The next scheduled step in the climate debate is a June meeting of leaders from the major industrial nations.
