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The likelihood (i.e. probability) components of climate-related risks in Samoa are evaluated for both present day and future conditions. Pr esent day conditions are described using data for Apia and, for some parameters, Afiamalu. Anticipated changes over time reflect the influence of global warming. The risks evaluated are extreme rainfall events (both six-hourly and daily), drought, high sea levels, extreme winds and extreme high air and water temperatures. Projections of future climate-related risk are based on the output of global climate models, for a range of emission scenarios. All the likeliho od components of the climate-related risks show increases as a result of global warming, though for some the increases are small relative to the uncertainties. Best estimates of long term, systematic change s in the average climate for Samoa indicate that by 2050 sea level is likely to have incr eased by 36 cm, rainfall by 1.2%, extreme wind gusts by 7% and maximum temperatures by 0.7 C.

Humankind's 11th hour is here: the last moment when we can change course and stop our rush toward global ecological collapse. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio produces and narrates this urgent and transformational look at where we've been, where we're going and - most important - how we can change. Thinkers from Mikhail Gorbachev to Stephen Hawking to sustainable-design expert William McDonough and dozens more reveal the current, critical state of life on planet earth. Astonishing images of floods, fires, hurricanes, collapsing ice cliffs and growing mountains of waste juxtaposed with images of a sustainable future urge us to take action. Will we employ exciting new technologies and change our behavior to save our planet? The crisis is now: but we do have the solutions to save this unique blue planet for future generations

Climate Change; Global Warming; Environmental Policy; Social Sciences; Religion; Entertainment; Advertising; Education; Business; Finance; Civil Society; Political Aspects; Recommendations

Climate, biodiversity, and human well-being are inextricably linked. Significant policy objectives for each now exist in international political commitments and country actions. Although our understanding of these processes and their inter-relationships is far from complete we know enough to identify some critically important components for immediate attention and priority areas for research and policy development. New mechanisms will be needed to galvanise work in this area, especially at the inter-governmental level.

The Working Group I contribution to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report describes progress in understanding of the human and natural drivers of climate change,1 observed climate change, climate processes and attribution, and estimates of projected future climate change. It builds upon past IPCC assessments and incorporates new findings from the past six years of research. Scientific progress since the Third Assessment Report (TAR) is based upon large amounts of new and more comprehensive data, more sophisticated analyses of data, improvements in understanding of processes and their simulation in models and more extensive exploration of uncertainty ranges.

The term given to the variety of life on Earth, provides, through its expression as ecosystems, goods and services that sustain our lives. Human pressures on ecosystems are causing changes and losses at rates not seen historically. People are changing ecosystems more rapidly and more extensively than over any other period in human history. Climate change adds yet another pressure on natural ecosystems.