It is probably the case that the Earth is getting warmer, and also probably the case that human industry has something to do with it. However, we cannot say that we must take any particular action until we understand all of the consequences. While the planet may be warming now, it has been at lower than average temperatures for a long time. Global warming may be leading it back to the normal levels. If we manage to cut all greenhouse gas emissions and end global warming, we may fall into the ice age for which we are thousands of years overdue. Causing the oceans to recede and the icecaps to come barreling down will prove just as dangerous as driving the sea level up until it floods India and Holland. We must not try to take massive policy decisions when our knowledge of the consequences is so imperfect.

This does not mean, however, that we should not cut down on our pollution and fossil fuel use. While the significance of CO2 in the atmosphere is not clear, no one can argue that filling our oceans with toxic wastes and draining our finite resources is a good goal. Reducing the amount of resources consumed and wastes produced will have a much greater effect than slowing the rate of warming.