ANN ARBOR— University of Michigan School of Natural Resources Dean Rosina Bierbaum and a panel of eminent scientists from around the world today are offering a roadmap for reducing the risks of climate change.

The researchers are releasing the report at the United Nations and are set to testify on their findings before Congressional committees Wednesday. United Nations Foundation and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, asked for the report for the UN’s Commission on Sustainable Development. The panel, which spent two years on the report, was co-chaired by Bierbaum and Peter Raven, director of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

“The world is experiencing climate disruption now and the increases in droughts, floods, and sea level rise that will occur in the coming decades will cause enormous human suffering and economic losses,” said Bierbaum, former acting director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. “The poorest are likely the most vulnerable.

“We imperil our children’s and grandchildren’s future if we fail to improve society’s capacity to adapt to a changing climate. We can manage water better, bolster disaster preparedness, increase surveillance for emerging diseases, make cities more resilient, move vulnerable populations and prepare for environmental refugees, design more drought-tolerant crops, use natural resources more sustainably, and enhance local capacity to cope with a suite of expected changes.”

The report covers an overview of the science of climate change; the importance of avoiding the risk of major impacts of climate change; options for mitigation; and steps that can be taken to prepare to adapt to anticipated climate change.

Among the report’s key findings:

? Exceeding global average temperature increases above 2-2.5