A new report from the National Academy of Sciences revealed the effects of climate change may come not in a hundred years but within decades or sooner. The global issue of climate change has become a great concern for scientists.

Prof. James White from the University of Colorado and chair of the report committee said the most challenging climate changes are the "abrupt ones." In a press conference Dec. 3, he stressed the impact of climate change can happen quickly.

The rapid melting of the Arctic sea ice and the gradual extinction of plants and animals are some of the effects of a warming climate. Prof. Tony Barnosky from the University of California said many people will still be around to witness the abrupt changes due to global warming.

The report recommended governments around the world to invest in early warning systems for monitoring abrupt changes like tracking the melting of ice sheets and methane gas releases.

Global Action Needed

Scientists are calling for a united global action against climate change but the recently concluded UN climate talks in Warsaw, Poland had "lukewarm" results. Representatives from various governments in climate talks have arrived at a consensus to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that would blur the lines between the rich and poor countries.

The Warsaw climate change negotiators were aiming to create a new deal in Paris to be finalized in 2015. This deal will seek to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protol, an agreement targeting developed nations to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The Warsaw climate talks were scheduled to last for only two weeks but an extra day was consumed to accommodate a plenary meeting to approve a modified text. Climate change negotiators had agreed to reduce coal, oil and gas emissions by first quarter of 2015.

During the climate change negotiations, emerging economies like India and China are against any commitments that would not take into account the country's history of greenhouse gas emissions. These countries cited the developed nations' long history of greenhouse gas emissions. They have asserted that only the richest nations should carry a large burden of targets.