The reports by Stern (2006) and the IPCC (2007) outline the consequences of global warming, and it is clear that efforts should be made to reduce the emissions of green­house gases from fossil fuels globally.

The IPCC has come up with four scenarios predicting the global atmospheric carbon dioxide levels depending on what measures are taken towards their reduction. If the amount of carbon dioxide released per year was retained at present values, the carbon dioxide would reach 550 ppm by 2050. Carbon dioxide emissions are still increasing so that 550 ppm may be reached before 2050. A level of 550 ppm is pre­dicted to give a 2°C increase in global average temperature. At present there is hope to reduce carbon dioxide release, so that a value of 450 ppm is reached by 2100. Small increases in temperature seem insignificant, but these can have far-reaching effects such as the melting of sea ice. Some consider that even if we stopped carbon dioxide emissions now, the tipping point may have already been reached and a rapid and long-lasting increase in temperature is inevitable.

The chapter outlines the methods that are currently available or under develop­ment for the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide which include: burn less fuel, sequester the carbon dioxide and use non-carbon-dioxide-producing energy. Within these broad categories there are many options and no one option will provide a com­plete solution, but in concert they may well affect the outcome. The solution is not the science but rather the politics where countries have to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, while at the same time producing growth in their economies and increasing prosperity. It seems that if energy supply is to be sustainable and carbon-neutral it cannot be obtained at the same time as continued growth of the economy. However, developing countries will not stop their development in order to reduce carbon diox­ide emissions despite the warning that global warming will affect developing coun­tries the most. Considerable political effort and legislation will be needed if global warming is to be halted.