Different measures have been proposed to reduce global warming caused by the burn­ing of fossil fuels. However, the various bodies involved differ in defining the steps that need to be taken. Seven steps have been suggested by Mathews (2007), which require no further technological advances to be implemented, and should reduce emissions by 70% by 2050.

These steps are as follows and involve both carbon taxes and permits:

1. A global carbon pricing regime based on carbon taxes and permits.

2. Global satellite monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Compensating developing countries for preserving rainforests.

4. Creation of a global market for responsible biofuels.

Each region can certainly pursue biofuels adapted to conditions found there, such as rapeseed for biodiesel in Europe (Ryan et al., 2006), but it is unrealistic to see temper­ate regions becoming self-sufficient in biofuels. It is far more expedient to open up the

world market and to encourage trade in biofuels, both to accelerate the utilization of biofuels as a defence against global warming, and to encourage industrial development of tropical countries as the world’s supplier of biofuels:

5. Creation and furtherance of markets for renewable electricity.

6. A global moratorium on building new coal-fired power stations.

7. Creation of global incentives for developing countries that are moving to adopt non-fossil-fuel industrial pathways.

Hoffert et al. (2002) stated: ‘[Stabilizing climate is not easy. At the very least, it requires political will, targeted research and development and international cooperation. Most of all it requires the recognition that although regulation can play a role, the fossil fuel greenhouse effect is an energy problem that cannot be simply regulated away.’

All the above measures are a mechanism to implement the following measures which can be used to reduce global warming. These are simply:

1. Burn less fuel.

2. Sequester carbon dioxide produced.

3. Use renewable alternative fuels.