'Strong response' to cimate change urged

WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- A U.S. scientific committee says there's a pressing need for substantial action to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare to adapt to its impact.

The report by a National Research Council committee constitutes the final volume in America's Climate Choices, a series of studies requested by Congress. It analyzed the nation's options for meeting the challenges posed by climate change.

"The goal of the America's Climate Choices studies is to ensure that climate decisions are informed by the best possible scientific knowledge, analysis, and advice, both now and in the future," said committee chair Albert Carnesale of the University of California, Los Angeles.

The committee included scientists, engineers, economists, business leaders, an ex-governor, a former congressman, and other policy experts, a release from the National Academy of Sciences said Thursday.

"America's response to climate change is ultimately about making choices in the face of risk," committee vice chair William L. Chameides of Duke University, said.

"Risk management strategies must be durable enough to promote sustained progress yet sufficiently flexible to take advantage of new knowledge and technologies," he said.

The risks of sticking to "business as usual" were of much greater concern than the risks associated with a strong response, the committee said.