UN's Take On Climate Change Grows Sunnier

Policy and behavior changes can help limit greenhouse-gas emissions and slow climate change, say experts at a UN conference in Bangkok—and at a reasonable price. Some curbs on emissions may even enhance global GDP, but time is short. Within 10 to 20 years, global emissions should begin dropping to avoid serious impact on the climate.

Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency will help the effort, as will less deforestation. But if consumption patterns remain unchanged, sustained use of fossil fuels will cause greenhouse-gas emissions to soar. "If we continue to do what we are doing now, we are in deep trouble," says Ogunlade Davidson, a senior author of the report. (More climate change stories.)