Climate controversy

In a 2007 report, the UN claimed that 55 percent of the Netherlands was below sea level. According to Dutch authorities, this claim is incorrect, as only 26 percent of the country is below sea level. The Netherlands have now asked the UN for clarification. The environment ministry spokesman said the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) inaccurately calculated the percentage by including both the area below sea level and the area threatened by river flooding. The Dutch environment ministry will check the report for more errors. To read the latest news on science in English, click on www.physorg.com