Ed Miliband MP claimed on radio today that it is a fact that there is now more carbon in the atmosphere than there was 600,000 years ago. My question is how does anyone know that? How can it be a fact when measurements taken 600,000 years ago? Top Scientists might have made a calculated guess based on theories and estimations, but that does not amount to fact. Do they just expect us to believe their figures despite the lack of actual evidence?

interesting post, JC. I think they can have a good guess at what the temperature was all those years ago through looking at geological samples, showing what vegetation was growing at the time etc.

Personally I do believe it is more likely than not that global warming is taking place and that man's activities have at the very least contributed to it.

However, even if that were not the case, I still think it's worth stopping and taking a serious look at how we are treating our planet (and future generations) with such disrespect. What goes around comes around and nature has its own way of taking revenge. I fear for the future if we do not do something. If a misplaced fear over climate change is what it takes for us to stop raping the planet as we are, then so be it.

(sorry, went a bit off topic there).

As it's big business which has done most of the raping of the planet I doubt that fears of climate change are going to make much difference. The rain forests have been plundered to near extinction, along with many of the creatures living within, but the desire for wealth has overridden any other concerns. Even the knowledge that their own children and grandchildren will be the ones to suffer from such abuse of the planet's resources doesn't stop them from doing it.

It's plain basic common sense that the Earth has only limited resources and we should not waste them, but this has never deterred those who do waste them. It's not even that those responsible don't understand. They just don't care. There's money to be made, and with money they can bribe officialdom.

agreed, Emma, unfortunately.

Totally agree Emma.

I find this whole "Climate Conference" very distasteful and totally missing the point.

Action not words will stop pollution. We need to see the big companies stop doing this. It is THEIR PROBLEM - not ordinary people.

My carbon footprint is miniscule compared to ED "Fly everywhere and use big car" MILLIBAND - and I resent him trying to make out otherwise. Ordinary people do not have large carbon footprints. It is big companies who waste power and pollute.

There is not one bit of PROOF that Carbon is the main reason for Climate Change.

For instance : how did the MEDIEVAL PERIOD heat up MORE Than now when there were less than a billion people on the planet and carbon was not an issue at all.........? Answer that Mr Milliband ? He cant because he is WRONG WRONG WRONG.