Stern translation

The Guardian has published a summary of the Key findings of the Stern Report to save you reading the whole thing to get to the crunchy bits.

The summary includes a summary summary, which, if you're in a rush or lacking the attention span, will give you the greatest hits:

Main points

· Carbon emissions have already increased global temperatures by more than 0.5C

· With no action to cut greenhouse gases, we will warm the planet another 2-3C within 50 years

· Temperature rise will transform the physical geography of the planet and the way we live

· Floods, disease, storms and water shortages will become more frequent

· The poorest countries will suffer earliest and most

· The effects of climate change could cost the world between 5% and 20% of GDP

· Action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the worst of global warming would cost 1% of GDP

· With no action, each tonne of carbon dioxide we emit will cause at least $85 (£45) of damage

· Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere should be limited to the equivalent of 450-550ppm

· Action should include carbon pricing, new technology and robust international agreements