Global warming approaching critical point

A CNN report summarizes a new task force report by the Institute for Public Policy Research.

"Global warming is approaching the critical point of no return, after which widespread drought, crop failure and rising sea-levels would be irreversible, an international climate change task force warned Monday."

"The report, 'Meeting the Climate Challenge,' called on the G-8 leading industrial nations to cut carbon emissions, double their research spending on green technology and work with India and China to build on the Kyoto Protocol."

"'An ecological time-bomb is ticking away,' said Stephen Byers, who co-chaired the task force with U.S. Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, and is a close confidant of British Prime Minister Tony Blair. 'World leaders need to recognize that climate change is the single most important long term issue that the planet faces.'"