Prime Minister Tony Blair gives dire warning on climate
The environment is again climbing the political agenda
Urgent action is needed now to combat the world's "greatest environmental challenge" - global warming, the prime minister has said.
The effects of climate change would be felt within a generation unless action was taken now, he warned.
In a key speech delivered on Tuesday, he said the world's richest nations had a responsibility to "lead the way".
Tory leader Michael Howard attacked Mr Blair's "fine words but no action", but some campaigners welcomed his stance.
Mr Blair pledged that Britain would argue for aviation emissions to be brought into the EU emissions trading scheme.
But action could not be taken by one country alone, he warned, as he set out government plans to tackle the issue during a speech to the Prince of Wales' Business and the Environment charity.
"No one nation alone can resolve it. It has no definable boundaries," he said.
"Short of international action commonly agreed and commonly followed through, it is hard even for a large country to make a difference on its own.
"But there is no doubt that the time to act is now.
"It is now that timely action can avert disaster. It is now that with foresight and will such action can be taken without disturbing the essence of our way of life, by adjusting behaviour, not altering it entirely," he said.
"There's no doubt that in my mind that the time to act is now.
"If there is one message I want to leave with you it is one of urgency," he said.
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PM gives dire warning on climate
