Business as usual - the 'do nothing' approach.

We burn fossil fuels such as oil and gas to create much of the energy we need.

If we carry on with our 'business as usual' approach with the assumption that fossil fuels are cheap and inexhaustible, then the Earth will be just fine, it will heat up as it has done before and no doubt several million years later it will cool down again.

Unfortunately, the people living on it will face severe challenges that will hit the poorest first, initially in the third world, but not long after, catastrophic world events including mass migrations and conflict over resources, that will affect us all, and make the fall of the Roman Empire and the descent into the dark ages look like a picnic.

It's time to change the way we live.

This doesn't just mean doing a bit of recycling and being complacent with that.

We need to reassess everything that we do to bring about a low carbon economy. This will require action by all levels of Government and action by every one of us.

Provided we plan in good time and take the necessary action, there is no reason why we should not look forward to a sustainable future that is abundant, energy lean, time rich, less stressful, healthier and happier.