Confronting Climate Change: Critical Issues for New Zealand

336 pages. Cover worn.The debate on the science is over. Climate change is real; it is happening ev en faster than previously thought and it is powerfully influenced by human activ ities. As events like Hurricane Katrina, the shrinking of the ice-caps and the c alamitous 2003 European heatwave remind us, climate change is not a future threa t: it already profoundly affects the world we live in. Scientific evidence shows that dangerous climate change can only be averted through concerted global acti on - not in 30 years' time, but over the coming decade. Bold policies, informed public debate and decisive political leadership are critical, yet many countries - New Zealand among them - have been slow to act. With contributions by more th an 30 leading scientists and policy experts, from New Zealand and elsewhere, thi s book will increase public understanding about climate change and help to devel op robust, effective policies. It presents the latest scientific evidence, exami nes the likely impacts of climate change on New Zealand and the Pacific, and out lines a range of policy solutions. It is based on a major Climate Change and Gov ernance Conference held in Wellington in March 2006. The overwhelming message is one of urgency, but also optimism: it is not too late to make a difference.