Within the next few decades, a gradual increase in average temperatures around the world could lead to environmental catastrophe, as ice caps melt and sea levels rise.
The threat from Terrorism has only heightened fears about major disruption to the Worlds oil supplies.
Add to that high demand and rising prices for oil and it's no wonder that serious questions are now being asked about the need for alternative energy sources.
This week representatives from Government, major corporations and campaigning groups will meet in Bonn to discuss ways of expanding the use of renewable energy on a global scale. The Conference is hosted by the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and comes at a time when environmentalists are warning of another serious threat -that of global warming.
Here in Britain Tony Blair's been criticised for not doing enough to tackle global warming. The Government is comitted to cutting greenhouse gasses - like Carbon Dioxide - by one fifth. Yet there have been signs that emissions are starting to rise again.
Ministers appear to be putting their faith in renewable energy - especially wind power. But the Conservatives have attacked the idea - warning that wind farms are a blot on the landscape. So what is the alternative proposed by the shadow environment secretary, Theresa May?