Editorial

Global warming and consequent climate change is not proven. But it is informed speculation based on well-researched scientific studies of models of climate. Individual climatic events do not prove anything. But the changes taking place because of rise of temperature in the arctic regions and the 0.5 per cent rise of global temperatures in the last century are ominous.

A world climate summit in Berlin (March/April) seemed likely to produce too little too late. OPEC countries are worried about loss of revenue from reduced use of oil. Developing countries are angry about suggestions that they should not emulate the Western style of production and economy. The onus is on the Western countries – but are they capable of changing their populations’ way of life?

Humanists do not think that God will save the earth, nor are they fatalistic. The power of science and human resources must be drawn on to face the threat of changed climate. Above all we must recognise that the peoples of the planet will sink or swim together. Only by universal agreement will there be progress. We may indeed be, as Dr Montague said, ‘One world or none.’