John Houghton: Take the Flood Tide Now

These facts are becoming increasingly well known, and not before time. More and more people are saying, “Something must be done.” Earlier this month, the scientific academies of all the G8 countries, including the US, plus China, India and Brazil, issued a unanimous and unprecedented statement. It calls on world leaders at the G8 summit to (1) acknowledge that the threat of climate change is clear and increasing and (2) identify action that can be taken now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also points out that failure to implement reductions now will make the job much harder in the future. The world’s leading scientists have spoken very clearly. In 10 days’ time, the world’s top leaders will have a unique opportunity to take action commensurate with the problem. Will they take it? I dread to think of the consequences of their not doing so.
The Independent