Climate variability and change and sea-level rise in the Pacific Islands Region : a resource book for policy and decision makers, educators and other stakeholders / Hay, John E...[et al.]

In recent years, global warming has come to the fore as one of the world's most serious environmental problems. Meanwhile, over the past ten years, international negotiations and the accumulation of scientific knowledge in this field have led to remarkable progress — such as the adoption and entry into force of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, and the release of the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. With regard to the Kyoto Protocol, which sets forth the commitments of developed countries for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. Japan completed its ratification procedures in June 2002, and is also working with other countries to make the Protocol's entry into force a reality.