A team of climate scientists working in Hawaii reported last week that the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is now at its highest average level in three million years.
The consensus view among scientists is that the persistent increase in carbon dioxide levels could eventually lead to catastrophic climate change. More sceptical experts say the relationship between rising levels of carbon dioxide and global temperatures is not clear. There has been no major increase in global warming over the past ten years despite the steady rise in greenhouse gases.
Mint believes it is far better to be safe than sorry. Complex systems such as global climate are seldom based on linear consequences, so the plateauing of global temperatures in recent years is not enough reason for the world to drop its guard. A global climate change deal is still needed.
