Despite the mock climate ‘debate’ raging, there is full agreement about what needs doing - locally.

Readers might be surprised, and breathe a sigh of relief to hear, that despite the ceaseless diatribe, EVERYONE seems to AGREE :- that it is wise to conserve fossil fuel, reduce waste, avoid pollution and adopt greener lifestyle habits. Simples!

Even the die-hard doubters (of long-established climate science) proudly proclaim that they live “some of the greenest lifestyles in town.” This is cause for celebration. Because now everyone is agreed, we can get to work on the task in hand, and take simple steps – common sense actions - to kick the dirty fossil habit. And do what we have long known to be sensible. (And yet still put off until a rainy day?) So the GOOD NEWS is that there need be no further dither and delay because of the diversionary tactics of denial and debate.

Less time debating = more time insulating!

It’s unquestionably cool and socially correct to drive a bit less, and cycle, walk or train a bit more. To cut down on the amount of flying we do. To reduce our fuel bills and prepare our homes to deliver us with more warmth and light - from less imported energy. Each of us can model how best we wish to thrive - in a future that will undoubtedly be highly carbon constrained - whether we like it or not. Now we can all ‘be the change’ at home.

We don’t have to accept that manmade climate change is real before we make sensible lifestyle changes. And remember. Those who insulated their homes, changed their lightbulbs, swopped their car for a more economical model, and generally greened their lifestyles – a few years ago - are now sitting pretty. They have no regrets. Their reputation is enhanced, their bills are low, and they are seen as leaders and innovators in their community. It doesn’t matter a fig leaf if they are carbon deniers or carbon concerned. It’s simple carbon sense to cut back on smoking the old finite fossil.

Now my second point, which you could say is the bad news.

AS you might expect from someone trading as ‘the carbon coach’ - I simply do not ‘buy’ that there is any doubt about the mainstream science. Not a bit of it. Quite the opposite.

Of course I can’t know this, no-one can. But it’s as certain as it needs to be for me and my kids. There are a few maverick scientists (often connected with organisations with extreme right-wing views) who claim the whole thing is a hoax. I wish it were.

Deep concerns about CO2 emissions from burning all the world’s fossil fuel date back many decades, long before governments or mainstream science gave them any credence. For decades governments denied that man-made CO2 was any problem.

There is another bunch of maverick scientists however - significantly outnumbering the ‘doubters’ - who’s existence is completely ignored by the mainstream media.

This latter group of scientists are trying to warn us of a scandal of massively bigger significance that the ‘doubters’ agenda. They are written off as odd-balls, as alarmists, as doom-and-gloom merchants, and as persona-non-grata. Invite them to your dinner party and they will ruin people’s entire evening!

But these brave few carry on their work, unfunded, because they passionately believe the deeply embarrassing truth they think they have uncovered: that the truth is much much worse than any mainstream science currently indicates. That we are about to enter a period of runaway change, the impact of which will be devastating to all life.

So. Yes there is a conspiracy. A clever one. A dirty diversion tactic to try to take our eyes of the carbon ball at this critical month of history before Copenhagen. And yes there is a real cover up and a real scandal - but this is still waiting to break into the news. The writing is on the wall – if not yet in the local papers.

Trust your instincts and consider: what are the risks for our children if we get this wrong.

The useful (and truthful) debate we should be having is about how much worse is the reality than the science consensus? How will we cope without cheap energy? How will our community keep functioning with much less oil?

In a few years time, we will kick ourselves, twice.

It is real. It’s happening. But most of all – the truth is worse than we think.

When Spike Milligan died his family went along with his request to have the following words on his tombstone “See. I told you I was ill.”

The unpopular few who are currently written off by society as mavericks and alarmists, will not have the last laugh: because no one will be laughing. Especially not youngsters.