UN top scientist stresses need to reduce emission

The UN's top climate scientist says global warming will lead to human dangers and soaring financial costs and that containing carbon emissions will have a host of benefits.

Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said in Durban that in most regions, a one-in-20 year hottest day is likely to become a one-in-two year event by the end of the 21st century.

He warned that coastal areas and islands are threatened with inundation and rain-reliant agriculture in Africa will shrink by half.

However, Pachauri stressed this can be avoided, reduced or delayed by reducing emissions. He says the costs of action would be offset by improved health, greater energy security and more secure food supplies.