Ong, David M. --- "International Legal Efforts to Address Human-Induced Global Climate Change" [2010] ELECD 609; in Fitzmaurice, Malgosia; Ong, M. David; Merkouris, Panos (eds), "Research Handbook on International Environmental Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: Research Handbook on International Environmental Law

Editor(s): Fitzmaurice, Malgosia; Ong, M. David; Merkouris, Panos

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781847201249

Section: Chapter 21

Section Title: International Legal Efforts to Address Human-Induced Global Climate Change

Author(s): Ong, David M.

Number of pages: 21

Extract:

21 International legal efforts to address human-induced
global climate change*
David M. Ong



Introduction
Almost unarguably, the most fundamental environmental challenge facing the world today is
how we respond to the implications of global climate change. Broad consensus now exists
amongst the world's foremost climate scientists on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) that human activities are having a discernible effect on the climate (IPCC
Fourth Assessment Report, 2007).1 Certain gases, naturally present in the atmosphere, keep
the earth at a temperature suitable for life by trapping outgoing terrestrial radiation from the
earth's surface. Levels of some of these so called `greenhouse gases' are increasing as a result
of human activity and this, scientists believe, is leading to a gradual increase in the tempera-
ture of the atmosphere. Climate models predict that the global temperature will rise by
between 1.5°C and 3.5°C by 2100. This will exceed any climate change experienced since the
last Ice Age 10 000 years ago. These predictions have been reiterated in successive IPCC
reports at recent conferences of parties to the 1992 Framework Convention on Climate
Change (FCCC) (see Grimeaud, 2001).2 While it is still too early to predict accurately the size
and timing of climate change in specific regions, the impact on the global environment is
likely to be significant. Sea levels are expected to rise, causing flooding to low-lying areas.
Storms and other extreme weather events could become more severe and frequent. ...