Frederick Gaghauna

Climate change is the great consequence of all that is wrong in affluent societies today -- particularly the me-first, buy now pay later, isolationist lifestyles so many of us lead. The great silver lining of climate change may be that in confronting it, we also return to lifestyles that are better for humanity and all the planet's species in many senses -- prompting happier, healthier, and fairer ways of living.

Undoubtedly the number one challenge that our generation faces - and our world.

We have to act now

I accept that global warming is occurring and is accelerating because of the carbon compounds humankind is pumping into the atmosphere. Being a geologist by training and accustomed to timescales of millions of years, I see this acceleration as vastly more rapid than the natural carbon cycle can cope with. The system is already overwhelmed. I agree with James Lovelock that our present reasonably agreeable climate is probably in the process of 'flipping' into another stable state which will be highly disagreeable to humans and much other life. I have grandchildren and I tremble for their futures but I see nothing changing as the express train of industrialisation and consumerism races towards the unbridged precipice. How often do we read: "We must do something and do it now!"? And nothing changes. I hope OneClimate may precipitate some real changes which help, not just for my children and grandchildren, but also for the billions of poor who are already suffering and who will take the brunt of calamities to come. I am a very practical farmer/geologist and blog my ideas for solutions at It's the Planet, Stupid! and offer some practical suggestions at Mur Crusto eco-farm blog.