Don't overplay global warming threat, scientists say

Two leading climate experts have accused some scientists of overplaying warnings of the likely effects of global warming.

Professors Paul Hardaker and Chris Collier were speaking ahead of a conference on the issue in Britain.

The two men say warnings without clear evidence could undermine awareness of the real risks of climate change.

Both men are world renowned and they both hold the mainstream view that human activities are causing the earth's climate to change.

But the concern that in an effort to highlight the seriousness of the problem some scientists and institutions have been guilty of overstating their case.

The latest example is from one of America's foremost science body's which, in a strongly worded statement, suggested that global warming was already responsible for more severe floods, storms and droughts which could lead to irreversible damage.

According to professors Hardaker and Collier, this may well turn out to be true.

But Professor Hardaker says people must continue to take action to reduce climate change.

"I think global warming is happening because of natural effects and it's happening because of human effects," he said.

"It's a combination of the two and what we're saying is that actually it's those human effects at the moment that is dominating this, and it's those issues that we have to address."

-BBC