UN Chief Scientist Urges Action on Climate Change: ‘We Have Five Minutes Before Midnight’

AR5's shortcomings aside, Rajendra Pachuari, head of the United Nation’s group of climate scientists, is clear that governments worldwide can no longer defer their responsibility to address climate change.  He told the crowd on Monday that reining in greenhouse-gas emissions was still possible if countries, including in the developing world, rethought their approach to economic growth, reported Agence-France Press — a shift that would boost energy security, cut pollution and improve health, and also offer new job opportunities.

“We cannot isolate ourselves from anything that happens in any part of this planet.  It will affect all of us in some way or the other,” Pachauri said.

UN Chief Scientist Urges Action on Climate Change: ‘We Have Five Minutes Before Midnight’