Global warming is beatable if we act quickly, say scientists

The verdict from more than 2,500 UN scientists concluded that greenhouse gas emissions can be slashed if action is taken quickly.

The ground-breaking report was agreed after all-night talks at the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Bangkok.

The scientists back a major expansion of nuclear power, using GM crops to boost biofuels, and burying carbons underground.

The report calls for a 50-85 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2050 - and says there is "substantial" potential for the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below current levels. It also claimed that taking action is practical and affordable.

"Mitigation efforts over the next two to three decades will have a large impact on opportunities to achieve lower stabilisation levels of greenhouse gases," the report said.

"There is substantial economic potential for the mitigation of global greenhouse gas emissions."

Four hundred of the report's authors argued through the night in Bangkok to finalise the study, with delegates admitting "major disagreements". China repeatedly-tried to tone down references to scenarios which it fears could affect its shortterm economic growth.

The report also backed fresh investment in the nuclear industry, calling for its contribution to the electricity supply to rise - angering many environmentalists.

The report calls for greater use of renewable energies such as solar, wind, and hydro-power.

It is the biggest study of the practical actions that could help beat global warming, and the findings will play a key role in December's Kyoto negotiations over carbon emission levels.

IPCC head Rajendra Pachauri said the report was "stunning", but warned action had to be taken quickly if the problem was to be mitigated.