Key Messages

• Available international scientific evidence (IPCC, 2007a) points to the existence of the phenomenon of climate change, which is caused primarily by specific anthropogenic activities.

• Climate change manifests itself in an increase in the temperature of the earth’s surface and of the oceans, shifts in precipitation patterns, changes in the frequency and intensity of ex- treme climate events, reduction of the cryo- sphere and a rise in sea levels.

• The consequences of climate change – in terms of economic activities, people and eco- systems – are significant and will most likely increase unless there is a change in the cur- rent baseline, or inertial, trajectory.

• Significant effects from climate change are expected to be felt in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is therefore essential to advance attempts to find ways to adapt to the changes, in order to reduce risks to the populations most exposed to these impacts, while at the same time aiding efforts to reduce poverty lev- els and inequality in the region.

• Any solution to climate change, as a global problem, must be based on the participation of all countries, with a recognition of histori- cal, but differentiated, responsibilities.

• Climate projections under the different emis- sions scenarios indicate that forms of produc- tion, distribution and consumption must be profoundly altered, in order to move towards economies with lower levels of CO2

emissions and greater social inclusion.

• In the coming decades, Latin America and the Caribbean will face two simultaneous challenges: adapting to the new climate con- ditions and working to mitigate their effects through a global agreement that is just and inclusive.

• The Latin American and the Caribbean region is not immune to this challenge – one of the most difficult confronting modern economies – and must transition to a sustainable develop- ment strategy that pursues a low-carbon path and promotes social inclusion.

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