The single biggest environmental issue facing the planet today is climate change. Temperatures are rising under the influence of increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. Scientific studies suggest that the effects of this will be felt everywhere: melting glaciers, changing rainfall patterns, spreading desertification, an increase in the intensity of hurricanes.

Greenhouse gas concentrations look set to continue to increase as our reliance on fossil fuels shows little sign of weakening, so leading scientists are calling for drastic action to cut emissions.