Global warming will continue unless carbon dioxide is brought under control. As the carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, more heat is trapped around the earth – as within the glass of a greenhouse – hence the ‘greenhouse gas effect’. Global temperatures are increasing due to a rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere resulting from irresponsible human activity. Rising temperatures cause a rise in sea levels and changes in rainfall pattern

The oceans have warmed to depths of more than a kilometre. In fact, almost 90 per cent of the greenhouse warming is absorbed by the oceans. Warmer waters reduce the growth of CO2-absorbing plankton, resulting in more CO2 remaining in the air.

The rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, which according to the IPCC could be gone by 2035, is increasing the volume of river water flows during the summer – but once the glaciers are gone, the rivers will depend entirely on the rains.

"Greenland is losing around 250 billion tonnes of ice a year, enough to raise sea levels by 7 millimetres a decade. Antarctica is losing nearly as much, mostly from its vulnerable west side, which is perched on top of submerged mountains. Together, these ice sheets are currently responsible for less than half of sea level rise, which is currently at about 30 millimetres a decade."

The European Union has a target to get 20 per cent of energy from renewables by 2020.

REDD or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation looks at ways to help provide alternative incomes for the marginalised people living in and around the forests, who cut trees for a living.

Prince Charles, a great campaigner for trees, warns "If we lose the battle against tropical deforestation, we lose the battle against climate change".