The UK only produces 2% of greenhouse gases? I don't think so...

I've posted a couple of practical tips since Monday, so it's back to harrumphing about the discussion around the Stern report!

I am fed up with hearing the excuse that, as the UK only produces 2% of carbon dioxide emissions, then there's no point us doing anything. This completely ignores the global supply chain which supplies the West with our standard of living.

Emissions are indeed growing rapidly in countries such as China, yet the Chinese people lead frugal lives - I didn't see many SUVs, patio heaters or imported strawberries when I visited. China's carbon emissions are from the manufacture of products for consumption in the west, as the press coverage of the world's largest container ship demonstrates. Ditto the very large amount of food imported into this country from all over the world.

I asked for estimates of the true figure at the launch of the Newcastle branch of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Studies on Wednesday. The best guess that the delegates could come up with was that the UK was probably responsible for about 10%.

Whatever it is, we cannot duck the fact that the UK's ecological footprint is huge and it extends way beyond our national borders.