The danger is that in the face of such calamity individuals will feel powerless to do anything. But of course there are plenty of things each of us and our governments can do to reduce global warming. Burning fewer fossil fuels like oil and coal is the main one. That is why energy policy and the current debate over wind farms is so important.
Britain lags behind most of our competitors when it comes to developing renewable energy. If you visit Germany or Denmark, there are many more wind farms. They are also ahead on solar energy and biomass � fuel from wood which is renewable because of replanting trees.
Wind farms arouse strong feelings, based often on how people think they look. But some of those campaigning against them seem to be in denial about the need for more renewable energy. Some, like Mrs Thatcher�s ex-press secretary Bernard Ingram are supporters of nuclear power, believing it only can supply future energy needs.
This government is committed to generating 10% of the UK�s electricity from renewable energy by 2010 and doubling that by 2020. One third of that growth is expected to come from wind farms. But a reluctance by some local authorities to give the go ahead for schemes because some local people think they are an eyesore is holding back that growth.
So new planning guidance issued this week instructing councils to promote and encourage renewable energy and to give weight to its environmental and economic benefits is welcome.
There are important security as well as environmental reasons for reducing our consumption of fossil fuels, particularly oil. As it becomes scarcer and more expensive do we really want to rely on countries like Saudi Arabia for our future energy needs?
