Planet Earth, we have a problem

“If we go beyond the point where human intervention can no longer stabilise the system, then we precipitate unstoppable runaway climate change. That would set in motion a major extinction event comparable to the five other extinction crises that the earth has previously experienced.”

It was with these words that leading scientist David Wasdell explained to a shocked audience at a recent talk the considerable risk that gradual global warming may be acting as a catalyst and multiplier of positive feedbacks in the system governing climate, which could lead to runaway climate change. In the view of Wasdell and other distinguished scientists, supported by the All Party Climate Change Group, only a very few years’ window of opportunity exists for mankind to avoid a disastrous tipping point — if indeed it is not already too late.

There is of course no certainty as to how climate change will evolve, but your news editor was substantially persuaded that the risk of runaway climate change is sufficiently real and frightening to deserve much greater political attention than it is yet getting. Surely the actuarial profession can have a contribution to make here?

Much of David Wasdell’s material can be found at www.meridian.org.uk. Another useful climate-change resource in this context is The London Accord www.london-accord.co.uk