Architects of our own misfortune

FOR DECADES dire warnings of climate change catastrophe have been made with growing insistence and frequency.

We were told unless we changed our habits, the planet was doomed and phrases such as “ozone layer”, “global warming” and “greenhouse gases” entered the lexicon.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says there should be no illusion about where the blame lies.

It says the problems which have been stored up are reaching a critical mass which will unleash a series of devastating effects.

The argument rages about whether the dramatic recent changes in weather patterns are a result of human activity or a natural occurrence.

What is undeniable is that freak weather is becoming more frequent and more brutal to those affected.

The problem is also moving steadily closer to home as the savage winter storms and flooding in England showed earlier this year.

Whatever the cause, it is no longer someone else’s problem — it is as local as it is global.

The Scottish Government’s policies seek to take steps to mitigate the growing crisis through its renewable energy ambitions.

But the energy used in Scotland is a drop in an everdeepening ocean and even should it reach its stated aim of 100% renewables, it will have no discernible effect.

The industrial powerhouses such as China and the US account for a massive majority of pollutants and former third world countries — striving to catch up with the rest as is their right — are increasing their emissions.

Small steps can be taken individually but the giant leap is only possible when the whole world is working towards the same aims.