Will wealthy nations lead in the battle against global climate change?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns of severe global consequences if the world does not act

April 2, 2014 11:00AM ET

by Janet Weinstein @Janet_Weinstein

Earlier this week, governments from around the world approved an extensive report summary by climate scientists involved in the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The report detailed how the global environment's changing conditions will effect ecologies and economies alike - and included policy recomendations for country leaders.

Below are some excerpts from the report.

Freshwater resources

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Climate change is projected to reduce raw water quality and pose risks to drinking water quality even with conventional treatment, due to interacting factors: increased temperature; increased sediment, nutrient, and pollutant loadings from heavy rainfall.

Coasts and low-lying areas

Darren McCollester 2012

Due to sea-level rise projected throughout the 21st century and beyond, coastal systems and low-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse impacts such as submergence, coastal flooding, and coastal erosion.

Food security

Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP

All aspects of food security are potentially affected by climate change, including food access, utilization, and price stability.

Poverty

2013 Getty Images

Climate-change impacts are expected to exacerbate poverty in most developing countries and create new poverty pockets in countries with increasing inequality, in both developed and developing countries.

Human security

Rolex Dela Pena/EPA

Displacement risk increases when populations that lack the resources for planned migration experience higher exposure to extreme weather events, in both rural and urban areas, particularly in developing countries with low income.

Part of the report talks about what can be done: donating money to poor, at-risk countries for climate adaptation policies, reducing carbon pollution and preparing for changes with smarter development.

Can the world limit the consequences of climate change?

Is the debate shifting from mitigation to adaptation?

Should richer countries give poorer countries money to help adapt?

We consulted a panel of experts for the Inside Story.