There seems to be little doubt that the planet undergoes cyclic warming and cooling periods. In poart, these are to do with axial tilt and changes in orbit. The actual effects on the inhabited (by any and all species) portions of the world have varied oiver the eons dependent upon the changing position of landmasses, vulcanism and the nature of life on the planet.

Thus the immense forests of the Carboniferous might well have made the world cooler by absorbing most of the free carbon in the atmosphere. Conversely, it is possible that the presence of immense herds of huge, plant-eating diplodoci and others - whose digestive processes would likely have produced vast amounts of methane - may have caused a degree of global warming during the Mesozoic.

A combination of various human activities is now producing much larger variations, accelerating the current phase of warming at a rate that threatens to overcome natural adaptation among other species.

What needs to be done is, on the face of it, simple. Primarily, we need to stop using fossil fuels. Wind, tidal, solar and hydro-electric power generation of off-the-shelf tech requiring only capital expenditure to install wherever possible and needed. Confiscation of the assets of fossil-fuel-producing corporations and if necessary countries should provide all that is needed while being a suitable sanction against those who have reckessly endangered our lives for decades. There are also the less wasteful and more efficient thorium fuelled nuclear reactors to fill the gaps.

Some countries will not want to change, for wahtever reason, and the rest of us must be prepared to use military force to ensure that they do.

Asking nicely hasn't worked, so it's time to get the big sticks out!