Researchers from over 70 countries ended a three-day meeting Today on future threats of global warming including rising sea levels, according to dpa. Potential threats discussed included acidification of oceans and reductions of glaciers and ice sheets causing sea levels to rise. The effects of higher temperatures could also change weather systems and precipitation causing climate refugees. A group of researchers from the University of Cambridge in England said there was a case for more joint international efforts. "The current global financial crisis must be seen as a timely stimulus to tackling climate change, not a hindrance," said Terry Barker, director of Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research (4CMR). "There is some evidence that harder greenhouse gas targets and regulation may actually increase benefits through improved innovation and distribution of low carbon technologies, and increased revenues from taxes or permits," he said in remarks to the conference. Some 600 million people are estimated to live in low-lying regions at risk during flooding.
