Abstract
Politicians and policy-makers from more than 150 countries meet in Kyoto, Japan, this month to set legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The cuts wills be needed to offset global warming, which scientists believe has already caused the Earth's mean surface temperature to rise by 0.3–0.6°C since the late 19th century. They warn that if no action is taken, the planer will warm by a further 1–3.5°C by 2100. This could reduce biological diversity, spread disease and play havoc with agriculture. Rising sea-levels could also submerge islands and low-lying coastal areas.