Patience is the key to survival, at times, and education can do any thing,......... so keep Learning, pessimism can only be elimintaed with a positive attidue, home work on time always comes for help, if you stand fast, and take the right decision on the right time, If Astrounats can reach other planets, than all the races, should take the right decion to save, whats left,......... its now or never,...... the lighting on the clock can struck any moment, ............... and than all will have to face Back to Future,........ once all this is gone, forget it any body existed...... Advance education is the only survival of the Internet Generation, ........ and dont take it as a Joke , God can do wonders, Alhamadulilah....... Try + Try + Try = one complete Job, Try and you can do every & Any thing, so keep on trying, ........ its never to late,......... work work and pray, some work and some pray, thats how things work, those who work keep doing your work, and those who have to pray

wasken, Khi, Pk

What are we going to do to prevent the extinction of mankind by mankind?

Is it already too late to prevent the inevitable?

paul, plymouth, uk

It is fascinating to me that most, if not all, of the people criticizing the UN Report have no idea what the UN is or does and have not even seen, let alone read, the comprehensive Global Environment Outlook(GEO4) compiled by UNEP. It is one thing to criticize the UN Security Council and the way it operates (or doesn't); it is another to criticize the superb work done by the service agencies of the UN, like the UN Environment Programme or the World Health Organization. GEO4 has been reviewed and passed by an intergovernmental process (that included the US) and is based on extensive public and scientific input. If one prefers to deny the existence of global problems (be they terrorism, pollution or transnational crime issues), then maybe ignorance is bliss. Otherwise quit complaining about the UN and look at the facts and evidence supporting the arguments made in GEO4. The conclusions - while not new - are sobering, indeed.

Steve Lonergan, Victoria, Canada

What is truly sad is that all of us seem to have the exact same goals but different ways of approaching them. It appears the main difference is that some truly care for and trust their neighbor where many trust more in civil governments.
I believe all (and I do mean ALL) forms of civil government are “corrupt” (i.e. interested in their own self preservation above those of their constituents). In general, from my experience, the greater the governmental power, the deeper the corruption. This does NOT mean I believe we do not need them, it is that they can never ever be fully trusted. Civil governments, throughout history, WERE, ARE, and ALWAYS will be a tool for those with power to extract, by force of law, the labor and resources from those without power. The UN is no different and even more so because they perpetuate the false impression that what they do is for the benefit of everyone in the world.
I guess what I am saying is trust not the UN with the life of your neighbors.

Bradley, Wisconsin, USA

Yes I'm a liberal-pseudo-communist, yes I drive a car to work and use my little computer, eat processed food from plastic containers and work in an industry that is all about consumption fed by the profits of the oil industry. Sounds like it would be a little hypocritical for me to start spouting off about resource consuption, right?

So I won't. I'll just mention living in cities with polution filled air, a 1500 km wide pile of plastic swirling around in the Pacific ocean, bees dissapearing and the Pediatric Society of America suggesting ALL babies be screened for Autism.

Why throw in the Autism fact? My son is autistic and my best non-scientific from a mothers "gut" guess as to why he is, and so many others are, is that the bodies they were incubated in are poisoned by the polluted air, chemical run-off in our water and plastic compounds that have infiltrated the food chain.

We don't need to believe what scientists tell us, we just need open our eyes to see the truth.

Lisa, Lloydminster, AB Canada

Hey Edgar,
I'm just trying to figure out what possible reason a panel of 1,400 scientists would have for lying to the general public about over-consumption of resources. Are they perpetuating a massive lie to everyone else on the planet so that they can run around and gobble up some extra fish or cut down some trees? It defies logic to suppose that everyone else is wrong except you. Honestly, if you have a degree in a field of science related to this issue and can provide evidence contrary to over consumption, I'm all ears. But to dismiss the work and findings of literally thousands of qualified humans is not going to get you anywhere. Blaming communism and socialism is a simple cop out.
As for the notion that the world is simply UNDER developed, how exactly do you "develop" more natural resources? I suppose if everyone goes out and plants some trees or starts breeding animals that may make some sort of difference, but wouldn't it just be easier to consume a little less?

James, Salt Lake City,

Edgar from Burbank,
With all due respect, what I wrote was that the UN is RUN by socialists and communists. And yes communism is a form of socialism - communism is just the evil of socialism to a greater degree.
Secondly, the world population is over 6.6 billion and the average family size for industrialized nations is around 5.5 (with much larger sizes in developing nations). Therefore, I divided the world population by 4 to get my numbers. I apologize I should have said "family". However, either way, the point is that the world is not overpopulated, it is UNDER DEVELOPED.
What fascinates me about the comments on this board is that those who believe this UN nonsense can only personally attack those of us who do not and label us selfish or something. It appears the biggest difference I see is that those who believe the UN seem happy and content to control how everyone else lives. Including a world wide form of birth control.
Perhaps they have stock in Planned Parenthood.

Bradley, Wisconsin, USA

We just need to say the hell with it and enjoy it while it lasts... We'll have the technology soon enough to harvest other planets resources and/or teraform it so it can sustain life. So we might as well use up earth and get over it.

digitaljesus, colorado springs, colorado

Is it me or are all these political signs getting bigger and more randomly placed all over our neighborhoods; the politicians don't seem to give a hoot about how our 'hoods look when election time nears. These signs are an eyesore and are just as damaging to my "pristine" view of our environs.....

Paul J Novak, Lynbrook, NY

EG in Glendale... well said m8. There are far too many hypocritical self-interested republichrists over the pond there.
Given the dire report and the intransigence of any of the big consumer/polluters we face a monumental disaster. 10million dead kids.. seems we as a race are utterly selfish...we talk about how we love our children but infact we condemn them to death. Well if not them then our childrens children.

david, edinburgh, scotland

This article, amongst others, is a sign that we are being prepared for the realization that man is the cancer that is killing the earth and only population control will stave off the inevitable end to mankind.

Smike, Cotswolds, UK

"The speed at which mankind has used the Earth’s resources over the past 20 years has put “humanity’s very survival” at risk, a study involving 1,400 *scientists* has concluded."

What a laugh!

Make that 1,400 total "morons" have concluded ... take a breath, and get on with being the best you can be, help out your fellow man when you can ... and most of all ... ENJOY the fruits of your labor. You worked for it!

This latest garbage, from the ridiculous UN, is just that, garbage!

Carry on! ..."Live, laugh, love and be happy" as the old song goes.

ONE HAPPY *AWARE* AMERICAN, Englewood , Florida

its not just the US, China and India who are doing this damage! All of Europe, Asia, most of Africa, North ans South America are violators! Even you and me on this computer are not any help to the world and the climate! And when you blame these countries it comes right back to you! "What comes around, goes around"

You also know how they say the Japaneses have all the answers because they're the smartest, well do you seeing them doing anything! As far as i know they don't even talk about the condition of the earth in schools there! Seriously 99% of the care more about family honor and academics the people around them! And they think its a world revelation when someone does something nice for someone else! Its so ironic that the world thinks so bad of the US but the gov't is to blame! The gov't of the US is idiotic!!

For anyone who wants to reverse the processes, ya can't. Global Warming is a natural phenomenon, we need to address the cold weather after Global! Warming Global Cooling!

H. Johnsen, Blooming Grove, NY, USA

another useless report from the u.n.

tory, bloomville, usa

China's one child policy is creating a generation almost exclusively male which will do two things 1. Require the destruction of millions of female fetuses and babies and 2. Make a whole generation of mature ma;e Chinese very pissed off they have no one to have as a mate. Millions of angry and frustrated Chinese is not a good idea. Population imbalances such as this have historically lead to wars between nations. I think the mindset of this policy needs a rethink before endorsement.

Government Scientists have promoted one scary scenario after another, most of it turned out to be wrong. If they're right, we all would be starving, oil would have long disappeared from the planet, we all would have noses 10 centimeters long to filter out all of the pollution in our air. We would be driving aerocars and roads would be a thing of the past. We would be in a Global Ice Age right now and I suspect that Global Warming is a theory where we're best to find out where the money is (GORE's pocket)

Eric, Pittsburgh, PA/USA

China and India are the developing countries, and expolring of resources(not exploitaion) this will go on for years. But they are already doing teir bit, whatever they can do. The new car manufacturers comply with Euro3 standards in India and the emissions have considerably gone down if anyone have been to Delhi or otehr metropolitian cities. Rural places have much less emission rates as compared to cities.

Atleast these countries are dependent on thier own land. What about america ???

Americans..... Cant they stay at their own place they have their own issues to sort out. Americans drive those 4x4 gas guzzler, and still I have seen them complaining about the oil prices. Americans dont even know that schools are the plcaes where people learn, No.. Its a hunting ground for them.

But what can we ecpect from America !! kids there cant even locate London/middle east/japan on the globe.
Grow up America, North america has 46% cars of globe !!!

US, learn something from UK.

Anonymous, London/Delhi, UK/INDIA

A couple of facts -
1 - The warmest year on record was 1938.
2 - The warm period during the 1400's was much warmer than it is now.
3 - A warm period that lasted for 300 years about 8,000 BC was much warmer than today.
4 - Al Gore flunked college twice.
Base upon these facts, how can anyone claim that humans cause global warming?

M, El Dorado, Nebraska

The idea that extracting petroleum prevents or reduces volcanic events is almost as ridiculous as the theory that man is having a measurable impact on climate. The UN seems to be getting ready to announce a program of forced sterilization or some such - something like what China is doing now perhaps? You know, if you look back in the 50's, 60's and 70's people were talking all sorts of gloom and doom about how the population was out of control, the climate was going crazy and there would soon be all sorts of war, pestilence, famine and disaster. Some people can't seem to ever learn.

Greg, San Diego, USA/California

I love all these armchair scientists taking aim at professional scientists.

Hey, if you don't believe in the scienfic method, quit taking your medicine, don't have surgery and don't fly on a airplane or go into a large buildings. Oh, and have sex with as many AIDS-infected partners as you can. What do scientists know!

'll tell you something the scientists won't -- global warming is going to make the Black Plague look like a walk in the park.

Mike, Aliso Viejo, California

The problem will sort itself out. After the fall of the Roman Empire, populations declined. They will fall again after the collapse of our current civilisation. And when all humans are one day dead, there will be other species which are still alive. Why worry?

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

In regards to Bradley from Wisconsin, U.S.,

"Point" #1: The U.N. is an International Organization, whom the U.S. is also a part of; by your logic, is the U.S. now a Communist State? Also, Socialism is not the same as Communism: just compare Denmark to North Korea.

"Point" #2: Texas is 261,797 sq. miles, this translates to approximately 7,298,481,484,800 sq. feet; 65ft.x65ft. (1 person) is 4225 sq. ft.; 7,298,481,484,800 (land) divided by 4225 (per person) is approx. 1,727,451,239, or the maximum amount of people that can fit in Texas given a 4225 sq. ft. of land.

The population of the earth is approx. 6,602,224,175 and growing.

I won't even critic your other "points" as you are clearly a delusional person.

It's sad to read how far people will go to convince themselves that caring for the planet and people is some kind of nasty, liberal conspiracy. No wonder this Country is going down the drain.

Cheers.

Edgar, Burbank, U.S.

Defund the UN...

Talk about gross inefficiency and a waste of natural resources...!

They can boast the most elaborate health care and retirement plan on the planet...

Put them on the the hot seat of accountability and see how warm it gets in the room... This is their greatest fear.

Fran K, LA,

It's going to get worse - much worse - as Al Gore and the Bible predict. Both sources claim man to be the culprit, but sources differ on the solution.

chas, marysville, USA/WA

Funnily enough I followed the link to this story from this one:

Ex-soldier jailed for urinating on dying woman
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2746778.ece?Submitted=true#

Humanity's survival at risk?

Why bother?

The most tragic thing is that we're taking the planet with us. But humanity dying out is no major loss.

Fay, London,

Okay hands up who is willing to change their lifestyle radically to adjust to the new age? Hands up who is willing to become vegan for sustainable land use? Hands up who willing to CONSUME less? Hands up is willing to forgo their luxuries for the sake of humanity? Answer: no-one. Hang on for the ride people...

Paul, Gold Coast, Australia

Our, very recently acquired, ability to record & compare data shouldn't be seen as proof of a problem per se. We really need to be more critical about the 'why' (as opposed to the 'what') of 'expert' opinion. I've been through the Sahara, Tropical Rain Forests (C. America, W. Africa & Asia) and the Siberian/N. American Tundra. If habitats the size of Wales are disappearing every day/month/year (you choose, it seems arbitrary anyway), it's not readily noticeable to those of us who actually go there now & then. Read critically and get out more.

Of course the world is changing its physical & gaseous configuration (because of/in spite of our involvement). The World does that from time to time. The whole point of humanity is that we either roll with it or die off. The World is constantly trying to kill our species and we constantly adapt ourselves. Isn't that the whole point and the biggest rush?

Brian, Banteer, Cork, Ireland

Know doubt, Darwin's theory of evolution, is correct, perhaps homo sapiens, if they dont adapt to a very different world, will need to go the way of the Dodo like many other species, that have gone before. Why do homo sapiens think they should survive more than anything else?The World has always evolved, when homo sapiens eventually die out , perhaps some new form of life on Earth, will be slightly more cleverer.

John Hanson, Cairns, Australia

Global warming is being hyped. Yes! There have been major changes taking place, but is it man made. I personally do not feel it is. However, we are not helping. To all the developers, quit tearing down ever effin tree when you build a community. Lauren in San Antonio, get your head out of your A$$. The only people I ever hear talking about buying new shoes and SUV’s are democratic supporters. If you are going to reduce yourself to this mind set. What about China and there thriving economy, who virtually has no environmental laws. If America does not revolt against out current leaders and put normal people into places of power, we are screwed because as of now everyone is corrupt.

Adam Haraz, Atlanta, Ga

God,
The world is coming to an end. Please forgive all those who have forsaken thee and are now looking for forgiveness. God, creator, God the Omega. God, the forgotten. God gave us everything we needed, including science, and now we are faced with an end that can't be stopped as predicted. As God is shoved off to the side as a quasy apocalypse approaches, I feel that we weill get one more chance, only one more. Be prepared for I am coming as the lamb lays itself into the pasture for a good nights rest. Wake up call isn't the word for it. Over indulgence maybe? We're going to find out who the meek are pretty shortly.....

Barry, West Chester, PA

Relax everybody the planet will be just fine. Mankind is a part of nature not separate from it, whatever mankind does on this planet is natural. Eliminate the arrogance that mankind can somehow control or affect its' surroundings and you will be able to see things more clearly. What happens in nature is self-correcting, if there are too many people, nature will do what it has to do. If a specie of fish goes extinct, another will evolve to take its place. Start thinking in a geologic time frame, not your lifetime time frame.

Brandon, Sacramento, Ca

What do you say, should we go out and blow up all the dams
in the world? Coleen, would you like to expound on how this
is somehow layed in the lap of the Bush Administraion? I do
not believe this has occurred over the last seven years.

John M. fox, Lawrenceville, GA

Ironically, despite cries that the sky is falling, the human condition is better today than at any time in history. We live longer. We are better fed. More comfortable. Better informed. More connected. Better educated. We have an ever-increasing number of drugs and medical procedures that save lives and improve quality of life. We travel quickly, safely, and in comfort. Our laws and governments are relatively enlightened. Hard as it may be to believe, our wars even kill proportionately fewer people.

Back when our lives were "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," humans could not maintain a population large enough to have a negative impact on our environment.

Going back is not an option any of us wants. Yet the earth has only so much to give.

Our only real option is population control. Having a large family (more than 1 or 2 kids) is selfish, irresponsible, and dangerous. But many people are just that. We must, therefore, demand action from our governments..Now!

Pete Black, Idyllwild, California

The UN singles out this issue as a means towards an end, i.e. a way to attack the US, tax the world, increase its power and wealth, while attaching a phantom problem, man-made global warming. It is a shame the UN can't address real problems, genocide and oppression for instance.

In a few years when the earth's natural warming cycle reverses to cooling, the UN (and global warming enthusiasts) will claim success for their efforts. Of course when cooling becomes a problem, they will first blame cooling on global warming and then later roll out global cooling as the next crisis for government to "fix".

For me, reduction in solar output cannot happen soon enough for me...perhaps before the Mars polar ice caps melt too much farther.

D. Brown, Raleigh, NC

Ironically, despite cries that the sky is falling, the human condition is better today than at any time in history. We live longer. We are better fed. More comfortable. Better informed. More connected. Better educated. We have an ever-increasing number of drugs and medical procedures that save lives and improve quality of life. We travel quickly, safely, and in comfort. Our laws and governments are relatively enlightened. Hard as it may be to believe, our wars even kill proportionately fewer people.

Back when our lives were "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," humans could not maintain a population large enough to have a negative impact on our environment.

Going back is not an option any of us wants. Yet the earth has only so much to give.

Our only real option is population control. Having a large family (more than 1 or 2 kids) is selfish, irresponsible, and dangerous. But many people are just that. We must, therefore, demand action from our governments. Now!

Pete Black, Idyllwild, California

I can't believe anyone buys this load of garbage. We've heard this same stuff for years and nothing happens. The doom and gloomers always get the big press and the optimists are always classified as nuts yet the optimists always turn out to be right. I'd recommend you throw this report in the garbage and dump it in the landfill so humanity can dig it up 1,000 years from now and laugh at how gullible we were.

James Royal, Dallas, Texas

You go ahead ride your bikes to work, buy small cars, change your light bulbs, while the people who make you feel guilty are
flying around in private jets, cooling and heating there 20,000
square ft houses and there 39 car garages, and using more
energy then you will use in your whole life. But it's O.K. they buy carbon credits from Al Gore's company so they don't feel bad.
Al Gore is not willing to debate Man made Global Warming, and until he does i will assume he and Global Warming are a lot of hot air.

Joe Bilello, Gulf Breeze, USA / Florida

We need to kick the UN out of the U.S...OH wait a minute, we cant do that because were building them a 3 billion dollar office complex. The UN generates NOTHING and does nothing and we pay for it. I call it money laundering. Cant stop it because of DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY.

David, Cypress, Ca

Blah, blah, blah the flat-earth mentalities. Blah, blah, blah, Peer-reviewed science. Blah, blah, blah, habitat destruction. Blah, blah, blah phenomena comprise hypotheses. Blah, blah, blah, scrutiny of their peers. Is there no end? Can I just end it now and not have to know there are morons like EG in Glendale who may actually think they are making since? Serenity now, SERENTY NOW!!

Seatalker, Monterey , Calif. USA

These reports out of the UN are hogwash! I would like to see the UN relegated to only providing diplomatic channels between governments. Get it out of the research/study bandwagon! One way to do this would be to have member nations reduce funding to the UN.

Jose, Colorado Springs, Colorado

The secular progressive version of Garner Ted Armstrong.
Repent yee sinful people. The end is here. Fires, brimstones.

HaHaHa. What a bunch of rubes these experts are. We've been hearing this for centuries. So, you rejected traditional religions.....and formed your own. HaHaHa.

David Brunfeldt, Lawrence, Ks.

We hear this week that the UK population wil grow to 70million within 10 years. Is this not totally unsustainable?

shane, leicester,

Ah, although it may be just too cliche to say that ignorance is bliss, it is just true. Every time a daunting discovery is presented to the public, weeks, months, or years of denial are to follow... until something drastic calls for a wake-up (i.e. the ozone hole). Sheltered Americans write on this wall, making up excuses and going as far as bringing DDT into the subject, so that they can relax and watch FOX News tonight and drive to work, alone, in an SUV tomorrow. It is quite a comfortable bubble. Perhaps during a FOX break you will see a commercial for a new hair-volumizing shampoo or non-addictive sleep medication, and you will likely trust in the science behind that, yet when something points out simple (yes simple as in one-way ANOVA statistics) proving the significant decline of natural resources, you throw up your arms. When the herd does get thinned, only science will be your lifeline. Let's see who you run to then.

Chelsea, New Hampshire, USA,

Why are they worried about all the people dying from natural disasters, etc. They should be applauding all these deaths as apparantly overpopulation is the root cause of the ills of the world. The UN should henceforth cease all efforts to improve human health in an effort to save mother earth from our population growth. While they are at it, no more peacekeepers.

Chris , mayfield, kentucky

Wow! The level of knee-jerk idiocy is surprising here. This was a panel of over 1,000 scientists...under the umbrella of the UN. And you're upset because Doomsday predictions from 37 years ago didn't come true yet? Since when is 37 years a "long time" in the lifespan of a planet?

S, s,

Maybe the fact that the planet is doomed anyway accounts for the uselessness of the UN over Darfur, in Iraq, and why the UN "Human Rights" Commission is such a joke....

Unfortunately, their track record on other topics makes their pronouncements here difficult to believe.

Nick, Rotherham, UK

Too many people in the world chasing too few resources, it all boils down to that. Let's have some of our "leaders" talk about that, please. I live in Toronto and I am just waiting to hear that the US has started to drain the Great Lakes to relieve their water shortages. Could someone please explain to me the concept of unchecked growth in a finite world?
Go forth and multiply yourselves into oblivion?

Will Shank, Toronto, Canada

EG from AZ, Brilliant post. The inconvenient truth, once again.

Lidia, Los Angeles, CA

The UN is a fraud. UK court says Gore is a fraud. August 2007 Update: Man-made Catastrophic Global Warming Not True. Hanse is a political hack of George Soros. Further, flawed NASA Global Warming data paid for by George Soros. In order to be an intelligent reader you must have a basic knowledge. Please do your own homework; a starting point http://www.InteliOrg.com/

Dr Coles, Los Angeles, USA

The right-wing nutcases drive me crazy. Perhaps they should listen to the Christian admonishment: you wouldn't worship god if the devil bid you! I.e. if you hate the UN / communists / whatever, and they were waving their hands frantically telling you to watch out for the falling brick, you wouldn't even look up. Just elbow your friends and say "ha ha, there's those crazy fag commies again getting hysterical like a bunch of girls." Bonk! Good riddance to you.

People who store guns and ammo and fuel and generators for the coming Black Helicopter takeover, but they refuse to switch to low-energy bulbs and turn the a/c down. Idiots.

Ps - "left-wingers showing their arrogance by blaming humanity?" It's arrogant to blame ourselves? Oh my god it makes my head hurt just listening to you.

I'm amazed you can use a computer if you think Dinosaurs are a hoax. Did you know geology was considered a blasphemous hoax as well - dating the minerals was contrary to the bibilical timeline!

flick, vancouver, canada

This is an interesting read, while alarming not we're all doomed, doomed doomed..OR head in the sand. Balanced! And that's what we need here!

www.myspace.com/unsustainable

Tom , Washington , USA

This is all hogwash. There are some that will always cry the world is ending ... and these people can be very educated. Why, maybe politics maybe they are just crazy. In either case, don't worry, everything is fine.

Dr. Robert Weed, Chicago, IL

It all comes down to one fact: the earth is overpopulated. Even if we do find a way to help fight so called 'climate change', that won't stop the population size from increasing.
Obviously the way forward is for mankind to develop a non polluting power source, and to overcome the bellowing population problem. Wherether or not nature will step in,is another thing, however, there is a need for us to find new ways of housing our ever growing poulation. There is still plenty of land in some regions, but what when this has all been built upon? If humanity is still around within the next 1000 years, I am sure it will be from the efforts of our great scientists who would have solved the housing and energy problem, maybe even developing colonies in space and on other planets. If you bare in mind the amount of resource which is out there in our solar system alone, it really surprises me we haven't been making the most of that instead of raping our own planet.

Fabstar, Cardiff, wales

this is boring...

Scott, Waco, TX

Yes, Phil from Missouri, grow your own garden and be merry. I would add something else -- eat less, waste less, walk sometimes instead of driving your huge car to the nearest shop, don't waste food and water. Don't have 10 children, just two.
I am from Europe, right now I study in Springfield, MO. I am just shocked by people's lifestyle. They are "nice people", of course, they are just all obese, never walk, pollute, have 10 obese children, spend time shopping their junk foods and goods, waste lots of foods and water, and plastic. Don't follow them, Phil, show another example, man.
I.M. from Springfield, MO

Ira Medved, Springfield, MO, USA

USA, China, India causing all the trouble??? I guess it's time for those nations that produce everything for everyone else to wipe out all the other parasites that thrive on their hard work! That way USA, China, and India can have it all to themselves. Or, let everyone that thinks the world is too populated immediately sacrific themselves for their fellow mankind, after-all they're so miserable watching it all unfold as it is!

Jonathan, Mora, USA/NM

As we continue to cure death without slowing the birth rate we will eventually turn to the tried and true method of thinning the herd - massive war.

We do this every century or so when technology and resources can no longer keep up with demand. No worries, it's inevitable and it's the fundamental nature of life. Life is a struggle for survival against the elements and other organisms. We mask it. We obscure it. We can't change it. Cooperative existence only works when resources are plentiful. The struggles have gone on for millions of years. The struggles will continue for millions more to come.

The thing that upsets the UN and the author is the lack of control and profit in the most likely scenarios for reducing the number of humans. How do we get to decide and how do we tax it?

John Ward has it right. Eat, drink, be merry and tend your own garden.

Phil, St. Louis, US/MO

To those cynical enough to say that nature will take its course and end the population booming, Are you plain selfish? In your life time, chances are (or some people seem see it), you will not be affected by the issues here. This fragile world we abuse will bite back at some point and this will damage the youth of today. Is this fair on them? Your children, grandchildren, the next generation, will pay for mistakes made that are out of their control.
The future of the planet lies in the choices of the generation of today. Climate change, Over consumption of finite resources, poisoned air and rivers, these are the problems that will face me and my friends as we reach adulthood. these problems wont just slow the population increase but kill mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, wives, husbands, friends, loved ones.
Shall we stop talking blame, possibility and the next intelligent life and start to talk about responsibility's, action and survival of humanity.

Ché, Longlevens, UK

Yes, Don, that about sums up the typical American attitude to global issues. It doesn't really matter to you, does it, as long as you can have your big cars and cheap gas. Cutting down on industrial emissions? Forget it! So what if the polar bears will disappear in the next few years? Who needs them anyway? And the countries in Europe that are taking CO2 emissions seriously, well, more fool them, right? Who cares? Wake up and smell the coffee, man!

Jazz, Munich,

Technocracy has always insisted that the type of social operation it offers is not just desirable; it is necessary. Man cannot continue to live at all on this Continent without drastically changing his methods of management.

"Whatever the future of Technocracy, one must fairly say that it is the only program of social and economic reconstruction which is in complete intellectual and technical accord with the age of which we live."
(The Encyclopedia Americana)


Investigate Technocracy.org

Rod M, Toronto, Canada

I've got an idea. Why don't rich liberals like Al Gore start by living in a home under 20,000 sqft, stop flying private jets all around the world and stop using gas gulping SUVs and Limos to cart their fat-asses to the many award parties they through for eachother. That would be a good start.

Juan M, CA/USA,

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!.

Don, TX , USA

Population growth is the root of all the world's problems.
Malthus was right, he just got the timing wrong.
We need a population cull preferably by natural means and surely all research into "curing" infertility should stop.

P. Jarvis, Newbury, UK

The human race faces its biggest challenge for almost 70 years.Invading Iran would be the worst thing that could happen.There are problems in Pakistan,Turkey,Afganistan to name a few.9/11 seems to have caused a lot of problems.Didn't the US cut interest rates shortly afterwards?Did this cause the sub-prime mortgage crisis we now face?There are many questions and few answers
Invading Iran is not he answer.We hold the Weapons of mass distruction,lets use them wisely..

Stephen Hulton, Eure, France

I find it interesting that the article seems alarmed at the population increase in one sentence and the things that decrease it in another. Could it be that nature will take care of itself in the long run? When there is not enough water, people will die. When there is not enough food, people will die. In the end, the problem will correct itself. If hunters are not allowed to hunt deer, the deer will over populate and die from lack of resources. The same is true for humans.

Joe Sherrill, Luling, LA USA

The earth will be turning around for many more billions of years, Humans will be replaced by other intelligent life, maybe better equipped to deal with earth's limits.
We will stop existing soon. Thanks to the stupidity of religions and politics as we have known them

bob, steveston, canada

Im surprised by the number of people dodging the key point, here: the problem is not merely global warming, and whether or not it exists; the problem is (broadly) one of the consumption of resources, set against their limited availablity. You may disagree about the existance of global warming all you like, but take a look around you at the items, foods etc that make up the fabric of your day-to-day life and just for one second ask yourself "where does all this come from?"

Its a sobering exercise.

Michael, Manchester,

The earths population and consumption are simply not sustainable at the current rate. Global warming, climate change are the symptoms of over population. What we have is a plague of 2 leg locusts that are consuming the earth at an alarming rate. Making changes will be painfull and difficult. Regretably conditions will have to worsen much more before any effective action is taken, as no one wants to return to return to consumption and population of the 50's, but this is what has to happen in the long term. Ask the question why do we need such a large population?

B Bligh, Warrnambool, Aust.

Who is talking to China and India? If the UK contributes 0.5% to the worlds CO2 emissions, taking a few 4x4's off the streets is hardly going to stop climatic change. What happened to all the good work on "plant a tree a day" , two decades ago. We could have had some healthy woods growing to absorb all that nasty CO2.

Chris Smith, East Sussex , UK

It's the Overpopulation, stupid.

Seriously tough, how long are we going to try to deal with effects instead of dealing with the cause.

Trying to solve the climate/energy/water/pollution/extinction crisis without first addressing overpopulation is akin to bailing out a sinking boat with a teaspoon.

But are there any politicians or even supra-national organisations that are brave enough to tackle this seemingly forbidden subject?

G Jones, Liverpool, UK

Well, John Ward of Ireland, it is to be hoped that the US, China and India don't choose the beach for their head-burying antics as it will no doubt be shortly under water - which may therefore be a self-rectifying problem
Simon Peter of Godalming - the guesses you talk about....would they be greenhouse guesses?

Ted Horsepower, Ripon, Uk

If B.Royle is a scientist, he must be advancing a dissenting view. Isn't the question, "Are humans, in their present commissions and omissions, accelerating climate change? Are changes that happened with millions of years between them, being fast-tracked to just a few hundred years because of human activities? Neither the climate nor this planet itself, is for ever. How would that absolve us of our obligations for now, towards the foreseeable future? Each of us may go oneday, but should we smoke two packs a day, eat lots of fatty food, drink ourselves to daily inebriation, saying all that would not make any difference in any case!! Why should there be a different logic to our space-ship, this precious Earth - the only one of its kind for hundreds of light years of space around us? Those who argue against human responsibility towards this planet are nihilists in the style of the French monarch, who declared "After me the deluge" !!! How wise was he?

Krishna iyer, Wellington, Newzealand.

China and India follow the West by example. If they think pre cutting your apples and putting them in plastic is the thing to do, then it may become the norm. Those of us in design and advertising can make a huge difference. Educate your clients.

Ben Weldon, Shanghai, China

I wouldn't panic. The price of oil is on it's way up and it won't be long before nobody can afford it.

Scamp, Aberdeenshire,

So a meteorite is not going to hit us and destroy the world as we know it after all? Pity really, I enjoy a bit of movement and colour.

What will it be next year, the revenge of the Christmas turkeys? Mutating dairy cows? Angry volcanoes? The possibilities are endless.

On a more serious note, we really ought to go back to living in caves and trees where we belong, it's been so arrogant of us to have spent the last few thousand years advancing ourselves.

On a really serious note, if we do as these prating panic merchants dictate, then no doubt the scary Gaia monster will be appeased and go away. The trouble is that life under a Green tyranny is likely to be be cold, uncomfortable, brutish and short.

John Francis, Lauderdale, Tasmania

Whilst it may not take hundreds of experts to evaluate the apparent problems, and further whilst I appreciate the extensive politics in this arena, nevertheless you do not have to be a rocket scientist to know that the world is messed up. In the UK thirty years ago we had seasons, now we have one long unpredictable year, and that is happeining globally. In South East Asia the rainy season is not as clearly defined as it was. So whilst it may be hard to wade through the politics and feedback from experts, there is one thing we ordinary mortals can acknowledge - the planet is suffering because of the selfishness of the human race, so STOP IT!

Gary West, Jakarta, Indonesia

The photograph in the article is referred to as showing the Earth at sunset.

However with the brightest area presumably intense sunlight on the right and the Earth turning such that the Sun appears to 'rise' in the East and Europe indicating North direction pointing up the page, then this photo actually shows sunrise. The region of the Earth that is experiencing sunset is not visible in this photograph.

Les , Melbourne, Australia

"The US, China and India continue to bury their heads in the sand. As long as greed and the lust for money is part of their policies, nothing will change."

Back in the real world, China's one child policy is doing more good for the environment than any Kyoto treaty will ever do.

Population is the problem that is destroying all the habitats. Lets hope mother nature hits us with a plague before we destroy too much more.

Boris, Kirkcaldy, Scotland

Mankind can adapt to changing conditions and most animals can too. 80% of the worlds species have disappeared. Yes but most died out before Christ's time because of natural phenominems or inablity to adapt to changing conditions. When fish become too scarce the fishermen will no longer ply their trade and stocks will be rebuilt. Meanwhile farm raised fish can do notheing but increase as prices rise. I could provide most of my families food in my backyard it necessary. As for Global Warming, I have often wondered what the foljks did a 1000 years ago when it got warmer then it is now. I'll be they bowed their heads and thanked God for the warmth that had filled their granaries, improved their health and increased their faith in God and nature.

Jim Quick, Lexington, Michigan, USA

The extraction of crude oil from beneath the earth's surface has prevented countless volcanic eruptions around the Earth by relieving the pressure within. The CONSENSUS is that this has prevented the Earth from destroying itself 100 years ago.

I say thanks to the Petroleum Insustry for giving us many more years of enjoying life as we know it.

Science is factual observance...Consensus is merely an agreement among PEOPLE who wish their profession to be continually subsidised.

Consensus or Fact...A Dilema indeed

Ted, Mobile, USA

Some comment, coming from the UN. How many trees are they killing on these "studies?"

No thanks to the "do-gooding," conspiring globalists. Most nations are having enough trouble trying to keep these pesky meddlers out of their business. Now, if we could find a way to launch the globalists out of the U.S., say into outer space, the world would truly be a better place.

Scott Harmon, Manassas, VA

From what I read 80% of all species on earth are already extinct. New extinctions are not worth talking about.
The real problem is that there are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many people on the earth. If the population was cut by 75% we would all (those left) be amazingly better off.

john tidball, anniston, al

Let our kids workk about it.

Erik, Washington DC,

Anyone of ever hear of the best selling book 'population bomb' written by scholar Paul Ehrlich? It contains the same predictions, only it was written 37 years ago. I'm tired of these scare tactics...yes, things are changing and we always find a way to adapt. In 37 years a new movement will have the same predictions and everyone will lauch at the global warming nut cases.

Eric, North Branch, us mn

While I agree that some cultures do use a lot more resources than they actually need...

...ANYTHING put out by the UN is automatically suspect -- do I sense another Big Brother World Government solution to "take" from those that have more (U.S., Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and the like) and give to those that have "less" (any 3rd world country that has been run into the ground by dictators like Castro, Mugabe, Kim and the like)?

If you are educated, free, and live in someplace nice... HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLETS!!!

Sure, we all need to cut back, but if the UN gets involved, I fear my paycheck will be confiscated and given to a "poor" dictatorship like N. Korea, Myanmar or Cuba.

Dan, Columbus, USA

Just the UN once again trying to curb America's productivity through scare tactics. 1 in 10 rivers drying up every year? Projecting, no rivers will reach the ocean in 10 years? I'll see you in 10 years and I'll bet ALL the rivers will still be running. And in 15 years, the UN will be complaining about how cold everything will be getting.

Dennis, Phoenix, USA/Az

Reading comprehension is always a problem for conservatives. But in all fairness, it's a waste of time preaching about the need for any sort of environmental reforms. People really don't understand any of this on a macro scale and will never adapt to resource or ecosystem depletion. Study any empire or civilization that has declined or collapsed. Modern society will consume until it can't consume anymore, then will adapt to new circumstances, however drastic, to restore balance.

Joe, Panama City, Florida

I find it hard to accept that this was not done the same way as the Climate Panel Report, decide the result then write the report. Until I hear differently this is another case of the UN Tail wagging the UN Dog.

Anthony, Indianapolis,

It's so easy for many of you to criticize the science without reading it. Words are easy, critical thought takes effort. Peer-reviewed science has put food on your tables, medicine in your homes, a computer monitor in front of your face. Habitat destruction, extinction, loss of natural resources, and climate change are facts; the explanations for these phenomena comprise hypotheses. The strength of a hypothesis lies in the supporting evidence. Science education is lacking in the U.S., and it shows in many of your postings. Scientists live or die by whether their claims hold up to the scrutiny of their peers. The human hypothesis for climate change has held up to scrutiny. Hide in your holes if you like, but if you think no shovel is long enough to dig you out, you are sorely wrong. Science moves on despite your flat-earth mentalities.

EG, Glendale, Arizona

mmmm interesting instead of bitchin about what goverment is involved, what scientist did this, or that.
worry about the fact that we, meaning all of us, need to do something to change the effects of what is happening. communist, socialist blah blah blah stop your bitchin!!

in 20 40 or 100 years there probably will not be an enviroment to worry about because we are gonna be dead from destroying are selves and the earth, worry about what the report is telling you and start to think of ways to help change the course we are on...

alex , new york , New York

I love the UN and how they always report us the bad news, they may be correct in their assessments. I am sure we are all aware that there is a problem with the world, however, the only thing I am interested in is what we can do to reverse this natural genocide. I traded in my car for a bike, grew a garden and cut my water usage down by 50%. The only thing i need to do is quit smoking and tell the carpenter i work for to stop killing trees.

i love you earth, it's been fun.

brendansharkey, laguna beach, ca

Oh, the world's coming to an end!

How long have we been hearing that? If it does, good riddance. Though I'd like to see it go out with a bang instead of just rotting away. That'll take too long. If nothing else, a good ol' nuclear conflagration will thin the herd, so to speak.

Ignatz Putin, Bumfuque, Egypt

George,
The ban on DDT has killed more people than it supposed to save. Ask any of the millions of people who have died from Malaria in Africa and Sri Lanka since the ban. Again, the science behind the ban was flawed. The never found any evidence that linked DDT to cancer or to the thining egg shells.

Feeding primates more than 33,000 times the average daily human exposure to DDT (as estimated in 1969 and 1972) was "inconclusive with respect to a carcinogenic effect of DDT in nonhuman primates."

[J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1999;125(3-4):219-25]

Dave, Virginia Beach,

Beyond the dubious "science" at work here, let's consider the source. The UN?! You mean the same UN that perpetrated the largest financial fraud ($25 billion) in human history with the Iraq oil for food scandal that was swept under the rug? The UN that puts countries like Libya and Cuba in charge its laughable Human Rights Commision?
This joke of an organization exists only to lend cover and legitimacy to socialists, thugs and murderers while using the west, particularly the US as a scapegoat. The environmental movement is the new home for statist control freaks that use pseudo science and scare tactics in order further erode individual liberties.

Cliff Waldron, St. Pete Beach, FL

When somebody powerful yells that there's something wrong, listen carefully - they also whisper 'give me power'.

Andrew H. Meador, Williamstown, MA, USA

I would guess that the vast majority of those who read this UN report and regard it is God's truth, don't believe that God exists. So lets assume they are correct. We are just interesting globs of matter. We have no purpose. There is no 'right' and 'wrong'. Why all the concern about 'global warming'? Why does it matter? So what if we all die? So what if our children die? So what if homo sapiens exterminates itself? Maybe that is a 'good' thing. Who decides what is 'good' anyway? Do we get to vote? Why would it matter if we did vote on what is good? Do we keep voting to see what is good today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow? Is what is 'true' what scientists vote to be true i.e., 'consensus'. Wonder what Galileo would say? Is what is 'good' what is good for society? Then who decides what is good for society? Hitler and the Nazis thought their actions were good for society. From a secular perspective all this discussion about global warming is nonsensical and inconsistent.

Homebrook, Flower Mound, USA

Hey man, I don't see 1400 scientists from all over the world saying that we DON"T have a problem. C'mon people, wake up! Maybe Matt from Florida can show me an article disputing these findings, but hey, an intelligent person can argue anything. I challenge anyone to find 1400 scientists who dispute this. Politically motivated? Well if the world goes down, politics will go with it, so ya, I agree it's politically motivated!

Murray Valyear, Calgary, Canada

Yeah, but it would hurt the US economy to conserve. Aren't new shoes and bigger SUVs what's really important? Just ask George.

Lauren, San Antonio, TX

This is garbage, garbage, garbage - I say. I think we will all be around for the future - and if we are not - no big deal - it was great while it lasted. Can't get hung up on being paranoid! AND I am not going to give any money (TAX) to any govt organization to fix it -- like someone said earleir - the Oil for Food was administrered by UN and how did that work out?

Mike, Springfield, VA.

I'm so scared I'm becoming a European. : )

James , Eugene, USA/Oregon

"The environmental audit, for the United Nations, found that each person in the world now requires a third more land to supply his or her needs than the Earth can supply. "

How are we still alive?

Jack, Tallahassee, FL

Yawn....Spare me the guilt trip, especially from such a worthless and corrupt organization such as the UN. Let me guess...we should be taxed in order to fight global warming? What a liberal utopia we are creating.

Jay, Cincinnati, USA/OH

Bradley has no credibility. He makes unproven claims and engages in name-calling. He offers no solutions.

Craig, White Plains, NY

Hey Bradley, Wisconsin, USA -

Great - and FACTUAL observations. Of course the socialist/communist folks that site the UN garbage are not interested in facts!
Well done!!!

Todd Meyer, Indianapolis, USA/Indiana

A few points that need to be added.
#1 The UN is an organization run by special interest and global socialists/communists (which are one in the same).
#3 The entire population of the world could all live in the state of Texas and each have a 0.1 acres (65ft x 65ft plot).
#4 The entire population of the world could be fed by what is grown in California alone (millions of tons of food are burned every year)
#5 MOST IMPORTANT - The vast vast majority of famine, hunger, and environmental damge which affects humans are done by civil governments to their own people - and all of them either socialist or communist.
#6 These same civil governments sit on the UN.
Does any more need to be said.
PS I find it interesting that so many people are driven to tell everyone else how to live their lives.
The UN has NO credability at all - get out now.

Bradley, Wisconsin, USA

i completely agree with what BG, form Sydney, had to say! we all need to chip in, especially the west, in doing our bit to save our planet and the human race. I'm only a teenager and i understand this fact so why can't others? hopefully this study will open the eyes of everyone and show them what were doing to the planet and whats going to become of us if we do not act NOW!

Sheikh, London, England

It would be intersting to know who the 157 scientist are and what goverments make up the 47. Cuba? North Korea? Who knows with the UN. And of these 47 goverments, how many produce credible climatologists? Any chance there is an underlying agenda here? The answer to our "impending doom" from these "scientists" really is not about conservation, it's goverment control. And what "goverment" should control the world's resources? Who produced this report again? DON'T BE AN ECOSHEEP!!!!!

Rick Dobbins, Atlanta, GA, USA

I completly agree with B/Rowe, New York, USA. We cannot change our destiny. We can only put it off for a while. We will destroy this planet. It is inevitable. Get used to the idea. Let's party......

Jackal, StL, MO USA

...years ago "THEY" said "eat margarine, it's better for you than butter". Turns out margarine is more harmful. Then oat bran was the fad until some other study revealed it didn't have many of the dietary advantages which were once reported. The Atkins diet was "in" until it was realized that ALL protein and NO carbs wasn't such a good balance either. My point is....let's get the facts, the REAL facts before everyone decides to jump on some band wagon simply because it's fashionable. Amazing, it still surprises me....the abundance of people lacking any independent, critical thought, the knee-jerk willingness to blindly follow any cause. I suspect it's politically motivated more than it is a serious threat. This is the case with such "causes" more often than not. Ultimately there is no way at arriving at the truth. For every article like this I can show you one that disputes it. Who's right? Nobody REALLY knows.

Matt, DeLand, FL

The UN backs this agenda in order to introduce the "Carbon Tax" to be paid to and adminstered by the UN. This will be used to "fight" global warming and will work similar to the "Iraq Oil for Food Program" which the UN used as a piggy bank for every corrupt official in the organization. The US will pay 25% of this tax because we use 25% of the world's energy to supply 28% of the world's goods and services. Is this a good deal for America? I don't think so.

Bill, San Diego,

Ho Hum. I'm tire of the smug and self-righteous telling me what to do. Here's food for thought: Pulling the poor of Central Asia and Africa out of their crushing poverty will require more of Mother Earth's resources. What would Gaia Do?

foutsc, Colorado, USA

Well said, Brian...my sentiments exactly!

Raven, Muldrow, USA/Oklahoma

To all of you 'climate's in cycle' sayers... Take this approach. What if they're over estimating by 15%? How about 25% Assume these 'scientists' are that far off. Does that revised number wake you up? That's still pretty dramatic. If not, then you are PART OF THE PROBLEM and you're blind to it. You have become part of the 'show me' society. They said the same thing about DDT in the 60's and ask anyone whose still alive in farm country in the midwest. As all their friends die of cancer today they say they wished they'd have known.

Don't be fools. No one's asking you to go live in a tent but at least support the efforts.
There's an interesting article in Rolling Stone this month related to this.

God Bless

George, Los Angeles, US/CA

I think it was 1,400 scientologists if I read the study correctly.

Kris, Tucson, AZ

Brian from Atlanta right!!!!!!!!

Jeff Carroll, Winona Lake, In

Finding the “whole truth” is a difficult task these days of fear mongering and media management of our perception.

We must be thinking for ourselves and draw conclusions by evidence. We have Al Gore leading a campaign based of his erroneous teachings and movie stardom. He is the money and muscle behind Defender’s of Wildlife and other world-wide perception management, concerning global warming. I must ask you to think carefully about Global Dimming and many other experiments being conducted in the skies and oceans.

I did ask Gore “teachers” about Geo-engineering of our Planet by means of manipulating the jet-stream by heating the Ionosphere, or that of private corporations who are dumping hundreds of tons of iron in the Oceans to promote additional algae bloom for the purpose of creating “carbon-sinks”, they claim to have no knowledge of these practices!

The Mercury filled compact florescent light bulbs are being sold with no safety or recycling plan.

B. Conroy
Phx, AZ

Bridget Conroy, Phoenix, AZ

Has the UN actually found a way to measure ALL of the Earth's resources? Amazing! They also say we are harvesting 250% more fish than the oceans can sustain. Have they also found a way to account for all of the fish in the all of the Oceans? Fantastic! Maybe I should give the UN a little credit. I used to think that UN was an acronym for Utter Nonsense.

Dave, Virginia Beach,

Brian, I hope you are enjoying your 100 year drought and that brown water they are going to start pumping. But I digress. Let us get this straight: the current climate change is a direct result of human activity. The evidence is solid, the facts are in. The Moon has no atmosphere, last we all checked, so you can stop making up wild stories now. Earth's climate cycles produce NOTHING like the CO2 enhancement we've seen in the past 100 years. The last time CO2 was this high, was many ice ages ago. We have put the kibosh on ice ages, that's nice, but it is time to stop with the CO2 pumping right now. We are producing an atmosphere that no life on Earth has ever seen except during possibly massive biomass burning with large cometary impacts or continental scale vulcanology : extinction events. You whine that 90% of the peace prize winners were not scientists. Last I checked, the UN was dedicated to peace and policy. Why would you expect them to staff up with scientists or even support them

Thomas I., Richmond, CA

Brian from Atlanta, Georgia - why dont you try "reading" the entire article. This article is NOT just about climate change and the scientists that prepared this study are from all over the entire world and not just the U.S. The scientists from Europe, China, Japan don't know what a liberal or conservative is - and have no axe to grind. These studies under peer review mention loss of land and biodiversity, excess overpopulation,
rivers running dry, drinking water becoming polluted and more.

Jim Hoffman, Tampa, USA / Florida

So the UN would like to establish a basis for control and taxation on the entire world...sounds a little crazy, but that's the push...It's nice that some completely moronic body of wannabe political leaders wish to control what we grow, what we eat, what we drive, how we live...what are they doing? are they green friendly? Nope, they're just like Algore who burns all the energy he wishes and then buys carbon offsets from the corporation he owns...stupidity.

Chris, Blacklick, oh

Didn't we already go through this silliness years ago when Paul Ehrlich published his book "Population Bomb". If you recall, he made claims similar to what the UN is now making and he predicted widespread famine, drought, disease, etc to occur worldwide in the 1970s and 1980s. Needless to say, that didn't happen (at least not from "running out" of natural resources). One thing people seem to be forgetting is the ingenuity and resourcefulness of man. Free markets have allowed us to be incredibly efficient and inventive. Heck, in the U.S. the government pays farmers not to grow food! Debating our use of resources is a fine and useful debate to have (although don't make me laugh with man-made global warming), but the last place in the world I would look to for answers would be UN-appointed scientists!

Jack, Detroit, MI, USA

....additionally, there seems to be one MAJOR misunderstanding when it comes to this climate change debate. I don't think ANYBODY is disputing the existence of "climate change". The difference, however, is that left-leaning folks, in their typical arrogance, are blaming humanity for this phenomenon. There are plenty of scientists who argue that the sun and a number of other "natural", non man-made factors are responsible for "global warming", "climate change"...call it what you wish. A "consensus of liberals" does not a fact make....no matter how much or how often THEY try to shove it down our throats! If only we knew who "THEY" are......

Matt, DeLand, FL

WE are all guilty and play a part in the greed of 'must have now' any company in any country is just meeting our demands fueled by the not so helpful media./adverts. maybe the issue is very simple "do we need to keep up with the jones?", support those companies that have been validated to support the environment (even if we pay a little bit more).

leave religion out of it as that has created just as much distruction and misplaced prejudice that I have ever encountered.

Brit in New York, New York, US

Ok fine... So maybe this is a natural cycle. Maybe the temperature of the Moon and Mars have been changing at the same rate, maybe we are not the cause of Global warming but there are other reasons to become more efficient....

Wouldn't you prefer a planet with lush forests, clean rivers, healthy people, beautiful seas. Seriously let's stop theorizing about the causes of global warming and start thinking about ways of becoming more efficient to improve our individual lifestyles.

A cleaner earth, a stable environment will benefit us all

Jon, Toronto, Canada

1....and the upside is? Every change has both upsides and downsides. They may not balance but they are there. Why do we only get catastrophic predictions from Governments and Supra-govermental bodies?
2. As perople have said below warm climates are not the worst that can happen and the earth is a dynamic system with a varying climate. The geological and biological records are clear on this. Some species and regions will benefit others will suffer.
3. What are these bodies doing to help? The nonsense of carbon taxes is that most sources of carbon-fuels are finite and will run out. We should be developing alternatives for this reason alone.
4. Global warming is only a theory and it is not supported by the geological records (temperature not dependent on atmospheric CO² concentrations). I suspect that this is a mixture of minority rule by so called 'Greens' and an excuse for Govs to tax and control.
5. If I were 'green' and belived in Global Warming I would want nuclear power now!

David, Toulouse , France

It is well known, that any parasitic creature kills and died with the killed host. Mankind is a cancer of the Earth and thus it destroys itself very successfully. No wonder!
B. Rowe

B/Rowe, New York, USA

I just wish they'd be more descriptive with the scientists. They say 1,400 scientists. But what kind of scientists are they? Some of them could work for Nike developing better sneakers that doesn't make them experts on weather or climate. If they said 1,400 astronomers or even 1,400 meteorologists. I could believe this a little more.

Nelson Ribeiro, Mamaroneck, NY

The swift will survive, plain and simple. Fatcats? C'mon...I'm willing to be that a large majority of the learjet liberals out there touting the environment are as invested in companies providing carbon credits as Mr. Gore himself. "Save the trees" campaigns alone have cost the US millions as a result of unnecessary fire damage similar to what we have seen in California recently. I'm so sick of hearing about climate change and how its the fault of humanity. Are you serious? How many SUV's are on Mars or the Moon, both of which have experienced the exact same temperture increases as has our mother earth? The earth and its climate simply operate in cycles, the length of which are simply too slow-moving and therefore inconvenient in this headline-only ADHD society. Ever wonder how many of the recent Nobel Prize winners sharing in the award with the former vice president are actually scientists? How about less than 10%. Hmmmm....90% non-scientists pushing an agenda. Get real.

Brian , Atlanta, Georgia

Why on earth do the right-wing zombies keep mentioning climate change? This is about deforestation, aquifer depletion, and collapsing ocean ecosystems.

If you deny that any of these are occurring then you'd better trust in Jesus, alright, because you are beyond salvation. Hell, you are beyond Sesame Street. Your mind is like a reverse black hole that allows no information to enter.

In short, you are George Bush.

Jim McNary, Atlanta, GA

Now I don't know about anyone else but I'm sure I haven't used any where near my share of the Earth's resources and I suspect millions of others are in the same position. When all the Fat Cats of the world curb their consumption instead of telling you and me to pull in our belts then I might take some notice.

Doug George, Antibes, France

You know I suspect I'm unusual. I actually read other people's comments. I can only say to the guy from Nebraska who ends with "Trust Jesus Christ". You must be kidding. Look what happened to him for rocking the boat.

Doug George, Antibes, France

it will get to the point where some people realize there is grave danger in sight. those people will make preparations to ensure their survival. The others, as they say, won't see the forest for the trees, and those will be the ones that turn a blind eye to reality and continue in their ways until they die. I believe ultimately the earth will correct itself and the process of natural selection will skinny down the out of control population to a manageable level.

Eric, Durham, Maine, USA

Everyone needs to take a breath and just relax. Have you noticed how many "Final Warnings" have been issued in the last few years. The world is running out of fuel! The world is getting hotter! The world will die because of pandemics! Nuclear meltdown! The sky is falling! Now ask yourself - why are they trying to scare me? They have a purpose, and the purpose is for more govermental power to control your life. Just remember - nobody gets out of earth alive. We are all going to die. But it is better to live as a free man then to live under tyranny. And lastly - Trust Jesus Christ today.

M, El Dorado, Nebraska

The existence of intelligent life on earth would be
a wonderful prospect, and I am sure once humans
are out of the way it will have a chance.

Mark, Loughton, Essex

It's NOT just about climate change!!

Its also about the limitation of the worlds resources - the world can only support a certain number of people at a certain rate of consumption. The western life style is not sustainable.

Have you ever wandered what happened to the people of Easter Island? They plundered all of the resources on their island in an unsustainable way - they used up all the resources on the island and consequently they died out/fled. They are a micro-example of what we're doing to the whole world right now.

BG, Sydney, Australia,

Unfortunately, the UN has pretty much zero credibility about anything. Even people who agree with the UN positions on issues have to agree about that. So if the UN want people to take a subject seriously they should probably do their best to NOT comment on it.

GuyInCT, CT,

Did you people even bother to Read this article?

This article is not ABOUT climate change, it is ABOUT humans disgusting overconsumption and destruction of the world's finite resources.

You can go into denial about climate change all you want, but our draining of rivers, obliteration of forests and pollution of the air are completely indesputable. We have done this and this report says we continue to do it at a suicidal rate.

Our species WILL die out just like all the others we are killing if we keep consuming at this insane rate.

KJ Zupp, Brisbane, Australia

If we all did te little things like turning off electrical appliances at night or when we don't use them, it saves money and the environment. Cycle to work or to the shops; gets you fit, saves money and the environment. Buy smaller cars, saves money and lets be honest we not allowed to go over 60km/hr anymore anyway so what's with the big engines, also saves oil, money, & environment. Basically, with this environment, we can save money for ourselves and do some good and also there is commercial advantage in it for newer and smaller businesses. Oh and stop blaming other countries think for yourselves.

eugene , Sydney, Australia

Its nonsense about climate change caused by man. The scientists concerned are now politicians more interested in their continuing funding than objective understanding of the science. Polution yes, climate change NO. The earths temperature has not risen over the last 10 years despite much more CO2 in the atmosphere.
With more any more alarming reports every month, which do not conform to reality, I fully expect we will soon have one that says the world will end in 2010.

j gallagher, London, uk

More a case of "Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow ... we might lose an election!" We need courageous far-sighted politicians, hmmm, I think i just saw a squadron of pigs fly past the window. But what the heck I'm old enough to die before the worst of it hits, pity about the children though .....

E Burgess, Slough,

Climate change is a natural cyclical behaviour and our contribution to it makes roughly zero difference, scientists at the turn of the century examined bore samples of the gypsum beneath Paris and clearly visible were sea creatures and then land creatures alternately.

Paris will be under water again eventually and us paying extra taxes or using our car less will make no difference.

I think that it will be the shifting of the poles that causes the change as it was associated with all the others - when that happens it will be very quick, remember that mammoths were found in the artic ice with undigested leaves in their stomachs.

Global warming (which doesn't exist) and climate change (which does) are just precursers to the pole shift that we are due - nature is still acting like clockwork, and will continue to.

B Royle, Manchester, UK

If we humans are bringing about our own extinction, what can be done about it? A return to the stone age might be the answer. How about it gang, everything from water in plastic bottles to the computer you're looking at right now.

Lisa, Monroe,

Ironically, the phrase I'm thinking of is "Chop Wood", meaning "turn a large or unsurmountable problem into smaller problems", or "reduce a problem to its elements, and then solve the elements". You can thank Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano for that phrase.

Richard Rabinowitz, New Brunswick, USA/New Jersey

It's no use just blaming "the USA, China and India". That's the attitude that's blocking any action on climate change. Everyone blames everyone else. China says we emit more carbon dioxide per person, and they're right. We say there are lots of Chinese, and we're right. We're all responsible. What's NOT acceptable is for people to worm out of taking any personal responsibility by pointing the finger at others and saying "let them put their house in order first; then maybe I will".

Right now, it doesn't look like we're mature enough to survive ourselves. We're going to sink into the ocean or burn up drinking champagne inside our fully-equipped luxury 4x4s.

David Pritchard, Madrid, Spain

There is a famous saying by Mahatma Gandhi " Mother Earth has enough resources for everybody's needs, but not enough for everybody's greeds"

Goutam Das, Bangalore, India

everbody needs to tackle this problem
Contact us NOW

CHARLES CRAP, Vancouver, Canada

maybe the comedian george carlin was on to something when he said that the earth needs plastic, perhaps for some future life form, and that humans were hear merely as an agent for producing that plastic.

peter sutherland, edmonton, alberta

um the article doesnt really say anything excpet that bad things might happen. Theres no proof just assumption (the Earths bilogical capacity is 15.7). What? How do you know? What does that mean? Its bull. When things get bad people will die when enouig people die we´ll stop doing whatever kills them its easy.

Stop thinking the Worlds going to end. It isnt.

Rob Champion, Lima, Peru

I feel terribly sorry for today's climate change victims, and their disaster could be mine any time soon as well, but at the same time I think nature's whip is the only way to make us understand we've got to act now. Deep down I realise it is already too late.

robert b, vancouver, canada

Uh, Mike .. it isn't the US thats breeding like rabbits.

Tom, Orlando, US

The answer is simple, all we need to do is find/create/modify a suitable tree to generate electricity in a collectable form. We can then plant mile,on square mile of trees that renew the environment whilst supplying electrical energy locally.

Brian, London,

Seldom has such drivel reached these heights. Not one of these 'reports' state that in even THEIR worst scenarios that we would/could do anything to ameliorate the possible consequences. Two things, if the world warms up millions will not die of cold. As people get richer, they clean up their act. Sorry Mike, money does make the world go round. Would someone READ the IPCC report on which Al Gore obtained d spurious award. It states quite clearly that they are being wrongly reported. Read Bjorn Lomberg's new book ' Cool It '.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

If we carry on as now, we shall just BREED the human race into oblivion.

DAVID VINTER, Louth, Lincs., UK

Don't blame China and India, there is enough
nihilistic shameless consumerism within the readership of the Times alone. (Readers idolise silly Clarkson for God's sake.) If you still drive a 4x4/gas guzzler,, take lots of flights, etc, YOU are to blame.

Paul, Edinburgh, UK

very easy to blame someone else!! How many cars do you have in your family all living in the same house?!!! Jil

jil bartley, nice, france

Does anyone else see a pattern here? 20 years ago we realised that the earth was getting abused and if it continued we would all die. Then 20 years later, we realise that the earth's condition is even worse and that we are abusing it even faster and that we are all going to die much sooner. So any guesses for where we'll be in 20 years from now? How about 60? Any guesses?

Simon Peter, Godalming,

Yet another strike against the Bush Administration and the Corporations which are now in control of America.

We can't do anything about this until we become willing to rid ourselves of this 'old school' mentality.

Coleen, Martinez, USA/CA

Of course we still all believe the terrorist boogey men are the biggest problem in our lives!

sohiab, hemel hempstead,