CO2 Emissions:

It was somewhat remiss of me not to mention the perceived problem with CO2 emissions.

CO2 is the main one of the many greenhouse gases; that is, it allows heat from the sun in, but prevents it from leaving. The increase in production of these gases has resulted in the heating of the planet, melting the polar ice-caps, and so forth.

It is encouraging to see the efforts of:

• California, reducing their emissions by 25% by 2020 and
  
  
• Kyoto, where "under which industrialised countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol, this target represents a 29% cut)".
  

However, the pollution that has already been produced will cause further rises in the earth's mean temperature. It would require an immediate 70% reduction in emissions to save 9 out of 10 of the species expected to become extinct over the next 60 years!