7 September 2006
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, will
open the IPCC working group 2 meeting, Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West.
Details:
Date: Monday, 11 September 2006
Time: 09h45
Venue: Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West
Note to editors: Please note that only the opening session will be open to
the media.
Background information:
The IPCC was established by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in 1988 to assess the
scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the
understanding of human induced climate change, its potential impacts and
options for mitigation and adaptation. The IPCC has three working groups.
Working group 2 assesses the scientific, technical, environmental, economic
and social aspects of the vulnerability (sensitivity and adaptability) to
climate change of, and the negative and positive consequences for, ecological
systems, socio-economic sectors and human health, with an emphasis on regional
sectoral and cross-sectoral issues.
More than 200 scientists will meet in Cape Town for the final Lead Authors
Meeting of working group two before the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report is
produced. Climate change has major implications not only for the environment,
but also for the global economy. Millions of people will be affected by
increases in temperature, which will, amongst other things, result in raised
sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, accelerated desertification,
lower agricultural productivity and greater risk of diseases such as
malaria.
Enquires:
Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
7 September 2006
