ABSTRACT
The question of whether climate is changing under the influence of human activity, and whether these changes will cause serious negative socio-economic impact in the foreseeable future is of fundamental importance. The general consensus among the vast majority of scientists studying different aspects of climate is summarized in the recent IPCC report. The report states that the rate of change in the climate has been unusual during the past century compared to that of the last millennium. It is highly probable that the main cause of these changes can be attributed to anthropogenic activity, primarily to the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. There is a growing body of evidence supporting statistically significant trends of different climate characteristics on the global and regional scales, which are consistent with model simulations of human-induced global warming. Although considerable uncertainties remain in prediction of future climate change both due to uncertainties in future economic development and insufficient understanding of climate processes, the majority of climate experts believe, that the problem of global warming is a real one, and it deserves serious attention.
