Climate Change is one of the biggest development challenges
of our times. The effects of a changing climate further complicate the world’s
efforts to adequately address food security, water insecurity and energy needs.
Recent data suggests that the mean global land temperature has risen almost one
degree Celsius since preindustrial times, with massive loss of arctic ice,
extreme heat waves with record high temperatures, and decreased and changing
rainfall patterns. This is being called the “make-or-break” decade; actions
taken now could make the difference to how warm our planet will become. Action
and collaboration of all countries is required; without such action, it is
unlikely that the global community will achieve the emissions reductions needed
to mitigate the current climate scenario, and the costs of adapting to the
changing climate will have to be borne by future generations.
As emerging climate change mitigation instruments are being
established, countries are taking on the task to move their economies to low
emissions and climate change resilient Growth. Available technology, combined
with strategic planning and adequate financing, can potentially reverse climate
change impacts. But decision-makers are not always aware of the need for
changing strategies or policies and investments. Also, development
practitioners are not always equipped with the tools, or have access to the
resources, or are even connected to good practices that can adapt well to local
conditions.
Source: The World Bank,Climate Change,Overview.
URL:http://wbi.worldbank.org/wbi/about/topics/climate-change
