There are also major disasters occurring in China (landslides) and Russia (forest and peat fires). A meteorologist stated on the radio this morning that all of these catastrophes are related to changes in the jet stream. He also reminded us of predictions which have been made about climate change i.e. that it is likely to lead to more extreme weather events - although he was careful not to explicitly attribute these present disasters to climate change. In addition events such as flooding and landslides can be exacerbated by changes to rivers and drainage systems and deforestation.

When I mentioned these things at a dinner party the other night I was subjected to an astonishing outburst of hysterical anger. Apparently the only appropriate response is pity for child victims (the implication being that in wanting to get to the root causes of such suffering I don't feel pity for child victims!).

In spite of billions of words devoted to it the environment is still the 'elephant in the room'. Standby for more disasters and catastrophes.