Climate change evidence 'undeniable'

Disastrous floods, heatwaves, storms and droughts are becoming more frequent because of climate change, and will continue to do so. Scientists say the world can no longer ignore the link between climate change and extreme weather events, and they are urging countries to face up to the growing risks ahead.

New Zealander Kevin Trenberth, who heads the climate-analysis section at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, said events of the past 18 months had been extraordinary. "It's as clear a warning as we're going to get about prospects for the future." Last year was the warmest on record and that warming was directly related to increases in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, he said. It brought with it devastating floods in Pakistan and a heatwave in Russia, which resulted in riots around the world because of increased food prices.

Stuff.co