Scientists seek new environmental models

 

BRUSSELS, Apr 6, 2007 -- UPI

 

U.S. and European scientists say the U.N. climate report issued Friday highlights the need for integrated climate and human behavior models.

The International Geosphere-Biosphere Program, an international network of environmental scientists, says the "quest for adaptation strategies opens a new chapter in global environmental change research that requires not only continued development of sophisticated climate models -- and understanding the processes behind them -- but also a new integration of those models with predictive descriptions of human behavior."

"We need to continue discovering how the Earth system works in order to evaluate the numerous ways that humans can adapt to climate change," Kevin Noone, IGBP's executive director, said in a release.

Small-scale measures could include increased use of air conditioning; architectural changes for more efficient heating and cooling; better forecasting and warning systems for extreme events; and increased water usage. Larger-scale issues could vary from switching to renewable energy sources to attempts at "geo-engineering."

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