Academy statement on climate change

The Academy has formulated a statement concerned with the scientific basis of climate change. It has not been an objective to deal with areas outside the natural sciences. However, it is clear that changes in climate require a response from society that involves a wide range of other disciplines, with development and application of new technologies.

Planet Earth has experienced repeated changes of its climate throughout time. Periods warmer than today as well as much colder, during glacial episodes, have alternated. In our time, rapid population growth with increased demand for natural resources and energy, has made society increasingly vulnerable to environmental changes, both natural and those caused by man; human activity is clearly affecting the radiation balance of the  Earth.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 (The Physical Science Basis) has given a broad, systematic summary of the scientific literature on climate change and has concluded that the anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases has led to an increase in the surface temperature of the Earth. As noted by the Panel, quantification of the influence on the global climate is complex and many regional effects remain uncertain.  

The present statement is concerned with the scientific basis of climate change. It has not been an objective to deal with areas outside the natural sciences. However, it is clear that changes in climate require a response from society that involves a wide range of other disciplines, with development and application of new technologies.