UK Chief Scientist Says Warming Will Worsen Water Shortages

"Global temperatures are likely to rise by 5.4 degrees by the end of the century, sharply increasing drought and water shortages, Britain's chief scientist said.

The increase, more than five times the rise in global temperatures during the 20th century, will probably occur even if the world puts in place the most ambitious international limits on greenhouse gases currently under discussion."

"A British government report said a 3 degree increase would cause millions of tons of cereal crops to fail and put between 1.2 billion and 3 billion people at risk of water shortages."

"'We don't have to succumb to a state of despondency where we say there's nothing we can do so let's just carry on as per usual,' King said. 'It is very important to understand that we can manage the risks to our population.'"