Scientists clashed with government officials at a U.N. panel on climate
change on Friday over how strongly global warming is affecting plants and
animals and the degree to which humans are causing temperatures to rise.
More than 100 nations in the U.N. group agreed a final text after all-night
talks that were punctuated by protests from researchers, who accused delegates
of ignoring science and watering down a summary version of the report for
policymakers.
Environmentalists say governments tried to weaken the report in order to avoid
taking strong measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. China, Russia, and
Saudi Arabia were the main culprits at the meeting, delegates said.
"It looks like very blatant vested interests are trying to stop particular
messages getting out," said Neil Adger from Britain's Tyndall Centre for Climate
Change Research.
"We give our best to provide the best ...