ABC News

An independent climate change report has found pollution's impact on global warming is worse than previously predicted.

Conservation scientist and Australian of the Year Tim Flannery has warned that huge industrial and economic changes need to be implemented quickly to slow the growth of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

Seventy-five professors of economics have called on the Federal Government to stop undermining international efforts to tackle climate change and ratify the Kyoto Protocol without delay.

The CIA has received secret presidential approval to mount a covert "black" operation to destabilize the Iranian government, current and former officials in the intelligence community tell the Blotter on ABCNews.com. By Brian Ross and Richard Esposito

Planet Earth had its sixth hottest year on record and a deluge of severe record-breaking weather, according to a new report. By Anna Salleh

Cooler Weather and Fewer Hurricanes Do Not Lessen Global Warming Trends, Say Scientists

The CSIRO says the drought can mostly be attributed to Australia's normal weather patterns but says global warming has intensified it.

The Federal Government has come under fire over its views on global warming. The former United States vice-president Al Gore says Australia is not taking the environmental threat seriously.

Scientists say the appearance of rare clouds over Antarctica could be an indicator of global warming.

Israel's United Nations (UN) ambassador says he is "shocked" by accusations from UN chief Kofi Annan that the Jewish state may have deliberately targeted a UN post in Lebanon in an air raid.

Drought, Flooding, Heavy Storms May Become More Frequent and Extreme as Climate Changes. Bill Blakemore

This year, wildfires have already burned more than 3 million acres — more than three times the average at this time of year. By Bill Blakemore

Scientists Talk of Possible 'Tipping Point'. By Ned Potter

Why Santa May Soon Need a Boat -- But It's No Joke. By Bill Blakemore

A new report forecasts that within 100 years 15,000 Australians could die each year from heat-related illness if greenhouse gas emissions are not dramatically reduced.

As the Federal Government prepares to increase its multi-million-dollar drought assistance to people on the land, one of Australia's top land and water experts has warned that it's time to stop handing money to farmers in 'unfarmable' areas.

The International Water Association (IWA) estimates up to 20 per cent of Australia's water supply is lost from underground pipes.

Last year has been ranked the tenth hottest year in Australia since official records began in 1910.