• This means that, by 2050, the world has to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 15 % , and probably much more, compared to 1990 levels.

• Rapid urbanization in low-lying coastal areas of both the developing and developed world is greatly increasing population densities and the value of human-made assets exposed to coastal climatic extremes such as tropical cyclones.

• If nations fail to respond, the world may experience numerous adverse impacts as a result of global warming in the decades ahead.