FLOODS, storms, tornados, whatever next? Recently many people have discovered, to their cost, the serious consequences of extreme weather.

Scientists studying climate changes now say the problem could be ten times worse in the future.

Governments around the world are to meet in the Netherlands this month to discuss what action they can take to stop climate change from wreaking havoc, killing people, wrecking homes and livelihoods and wiping out wildlife.

While governments are meeting in the Hague, fuel tax protesters are threatening to cause more disruption across Britain. Cutting fossil fuel use is central to tackling climate change, but reducing the price of petrol is likely to increase consumption and make serious climate change even more likely.

If the Government caves in and cuts fuel tax, oil companies could raise prices again the following week as they did after the last fuel protests.

If fuel taxes are maintained, the money could be used to tackle climate change, improve public transport, help small farmers and cut council taxes in rural areas.

Over the next few weeks, let's remember that if the fuel tax protesters win, we will all be losers, and the weather will keep reminding us of that.

Guy Wallbanks,

Coordinator, York and Ryedale Friends of the Earth,

Kingsway West, York.