Climate change: more research needed, but time for action is now, say experts

Scientists, policy makers and practitioners have outlined their priorities for future research needs for investigating the impact of climate change on the water cycle, and explained how research results in these fields can feed into the policy-making procedure. At a workshop organised by the European Commission, the experts also discussed how EU water legislation could provide tools to water managers to help them adapt to climate change. José Manuel Silva Rodríguez, Director General of DG Research, highlighted the importance of climate change research to Europeans following recent floods and heat waves. Looking to the future, he outlined the climate change priorities which the Seventh Framework Programme would address. 'The FP7 will emphasise on climate impacts on the water cycle and resources, the prediction of impacts to the different regions of Europe and the relation between natural hazards and extreme events and climate change,' he explained. 'It will also contribute to the coordination of national research actions and programmes in the area Water-Climate.'  The outcomes of the workshop will feed into an international symposium organised by the German Presidency of the EU on climate change and water, which will be held in Berlin in February 2007.