"A window of opportunity to act is now open,'' 5 Mar, 2008
OSLO: The world can respond to the environmental challenges of climate change at a low cost now - or pay a much higher price later for indecision and inaction, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Wednesday.
``A window of opportunity to act is now open,'' the organization said in its Environmental Outlook to 2030. ``We need forward-looking policies today to avoid high costs of inaction or delayed action over the longer term.''
``Today, climate change is mankind's most important challenge,'' said OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria in presenting the report in Oslo. ``We know the enemy: It is named carbon.''
He said by 2030, unchecked environmental damage could leave 4 billion people _ half the planet's population _ with inadequate drinking water.
The latest outlook, part of series of reports compiled every five years, concentrates on ``red light issues'' in such areas as climate change, water shortages, energy needs, biodiversity loss, transportation, agriculture and fisheries. More >>>
