Global warming worse than predicted - UN report

Global warming caused by humans is taking place at a faster rate than previously thought, according to a UN report.

Atmospheric scientists released the report as politicians try to save the Kyoto treaty on climate change after President George Bush refused to impose cuts in industrial gases in the US.

The document, from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), says they underestimated the rate at which global temperatures are rising in their last report.

Reports say they now believe temperatures will rise by as much as 5.8C (24F) by the end of this century, almost twice the increase predicted in their 1995 report.

They say it's likely to lead to crop failures, water shortages, increased disease and disasters such as flooding, landslides and sea storms.

And the climate changes will probably affect poor developing countries the most.

The reports also warns the potential catastrophes could add to the problems which are already facing the world like population growth, poverty and pollution.

Kate Hampton, Friends of the Earth International's climate co-ordinator, said: "This alarming report should be a wake-up call to those nations that are failing to take this issue seriously.

"Urgent action is needed to avoid global catastrophe. Next week, the world's politicians have the chance to act by agreeing on rules to implement the Kyoto climate protocol."

She added: "There is still time to act, but only if countries like the United States, the world's biggest polluter, bite the bullet."