UN Information Sheet 9: Adapting to the impacts of climate change
We would argue with the claim of this information sheet that past greenhouse gas emissions have already committed the earth to some climate change, in that climate change as used in this document generally always means, or at least includes, temperature change. Nevertheless, it is always good to be prepared for the "unexpected changes that cannot be ruled out," which can clearly occur totally independently of any change in atmospheric CO2. We would also argue with the claim that "ecosystems that are already under stress are particularly vulnerable." Within most contexts, this statement would probably be true. In the case of a rising atmospheric CO2 concentration, however, ecosystems that are experiencing stress will likely be helped the most, as the many biological benefits of atmospheric CO2 enrichment are generally expressed to a greater degree under such circumstances (Idso and Idso, 1994). Furthermore, we know that these benefits will indeed accompany a rise in the air's CO2 content, while the predicted temperature increases may never materialize.
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We would argue with the claim of this information sheet that past greenhouse gas emissions have already committed the earth to some climate change, in that climate change as used in this document generally always means, or at least includes, temperature change. Nevertheless, it is always good to be prepared for the "unexpected changes that cannot be ruled out," which can clearly occur totally independently of any change in atmospheric CO2. We would also argue with the claim that "ecosystems that are already under stress are particularly vulnerable." Within most contexts, this statement would probably be true. In the case of a rising atmospheric CO2 concentration, however, ecosystems that are experiencing stress will likely be helped the most, as the many biological benefits of atmospheric CO2 enrichment are generally expressed to a greater degree under such circumstances (Idso and Idso, 1994). Furthermore, we know that these benefits will indeed accompany a rise in the air's CO2 content, while the predicted temperature increases may never materialize.
Reference
Idso, K.E. and Idso, S.B. 1994. Plant responses to atmospheric CO2 enrichment in the face of environmental constraints: A review of the past 10 years' research. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 69: 153-203.