324 The globalvillage
possible form, in all countries and at all levels of society. Information
is especially required about changes that may occur in the extremes
of weather and climate. Scientists also have an important role in con-
tributing to the research necessary to underpin the technical develop-
ments, for example in the energy, transport, forestry and agriculture
sectors, required by the adaptation and mitigation strategies we have
described.
In the world ofpolitics, it is over twenty years since Sir Crispin Tickell
drew attention to the need for international action addressing climate
change.^1 Since then, a great deal of progress has been made with
the signing in Rio in 1992 of the Framework Convention on Climate
Change and with the setting up of the Sustainable Development Com-
mission in the United Nations. The challenges presented to the politi-
cians and decision makers by the Convention are, firstly, to achieve the
right balance of development against environmental concern, that is to
achieve sustainable development, and secondly, tofind the resolve to
turn the many fine words of the Convention into adequate and genuine
action (including both adaptation and its mitigation) regarding climate
change.
In describing the likely impacts of global warming and the ways they
can be alleviated, I have frequently stressed the role oftechnology.
The necessary technology is available. The challenge of its imple-
mentation, supported by appropriate investment, needs to be picked
up enthusiastically and innovatively by the world’s industry. Too often
environmental concerns and environmental regulation are seen by in-
dustry as a threat when, in fact, they are an opportunity. As we saw
in Chapter 11, the emerging technologies associated with energy effi-
ciency in all its aspects, renewable energy production and the efficient
use and recycling of materials should bring increased employment in
industry at a high level of skill and technical training. Because of in-
creasing public awareness of the environment and of the need for its
preservation, the industries that are likely to grow and flourish dur-
ing the twenty-first century are those that have taken environmental
considerations firmly on board.
The responsibilities ofindustrymust also be seen in the world con-
text. It is the imagination, innovation, commitment and activity of
industry that will do most to solve the problem. Industries that have
a global perspective, working as appropriate with governments, need
to develop a technical, financial and policy strategy to this end. An
important component of this strategy is the transfer of appropriate
technology between countries, especially in the energy sector. This
has been specifically recognised in the Climate Convention which in
Article 4, paragraph 5 states: ‘The developed country Parties... shall