"PARIS — The International Energy Agency warned Wednesday that the world is hurtling toward irreversible climate change and will lose the chance to limit warming if it doesn’t take bold action in the next five years."

"In its annual World Energy Outlook, the agency spelled out the consequences if those steps aren’t taken and what needs to be done to cap global temperature increases at 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. That’s the threshold beyond which some scientists have said catastrophic changes could be triggered.

But the agency’s chief economist, Fatih Birol, said this week that he’s not optimistic that leaders are willing to make the necessary sacrifices."

Sarah Dilorenzo reeports for the Associated Press November 9, 2011. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"World Headed for Irreversible Climate Change in Five Years, IEA Warns" (Guardian) [3]

"Irreversible Climate Change Looms Within Five Years" (ENS) [4]