The setting up of a temporary committee on climate change in the European Parliament may be seen by some sceptics as another brick in the wall of bureaucracy. In a world replete with documents and meetings, many might see the move as signalling yet more talk and no action.

On the other hand, some believe there is no cause for alarm because the change in climate will not affect us directly in our lifetime nor even that of our children.

However, climate change is already a reality when one considers that over the last 300 years global temperatures have risen by over 0.7°C and, more conspicuously, 0.5°C of this warming has occurred during the 20th century, particularly between 1910 and 1940 and from 1976 onwards. Four of the warmest five summers ever recorded occurred in the 1990s. This in itself should be enough of a reason to set us thinking and to make us take immediate action to minimise, as far as we possibly can, the disastrous effects that a critical change in climate can have on our planet.

Global warming is very much a current issue. Further proof that taking immediate steps has now become a matter of urgency is the fact that the total number of cold days - that is when the temperature is below 0°C - has fallen from 15/20 per cent a year to less than 10 per cent.

When we talk of climate change we sometimes don't realise the impact that it could have on our earth. What caused climate change to suddenly speed up?

As industrialisation gained pace at the beginning of the 20th century, more oil and coal was needed to fuel this growth as well as for domestic purposes, causing the release of more carbon dioxide and other gases into our atmosphere. These gases caused a greenhouse effect and resulted in our earth warming up at a faster rate than usual. The 0.5°C rise over the past 100 years may sound negligible but even one degree can affect the Earth.

Many of the conditions that the change in climate has brought with it are clearly visible and the effects may soon be catastrophic if we do not do something urgently.

• Sea level is rising. During the 20th century, the sea level rose 10-20cm due to melting glacier ice and expansion of warmer seawater. In the next 100 years, sea level may rise as much as 85cm. This poses a threat to people living near the coast, wetlands and coral reefs.

• Arctic sea ice is melting. The summer thickness of Arctic icebergs is about half of what it was 50 years ago. This melting ice may someday cause changes in the world's ocean currents.

• Sea-surface temperatures are warming. Some animals, such as corals, cannot live in warmer seas. Over the past few decades, about a quarter of the world's coral reefs have died.

• Heavier rainfall causes flooding in many regions as warmer temperatures speed up the water cycle. In the last 10 years, floods have caused more damage than in the previous 30 years.

The question boils down to this: How can we slow this global warming?

If we continue to live as we are doing, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will continue to rise. However, there are several technologies that are currently available which can help, such as switching energy sources from coal to cleaner gas, nuclear power or renewable energy. Driving only fuel-efficient vehicles and using public transportation limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted too. And cycling and walking are always good options. In buildings, it is a good idea to install thick insulation and efficient appliances. There are also special technologies for agriculture, industry and forestry that reduce the amount of greenhouse gases put out into the atmosphere.

This is the moment to act. We must adapt to these new ecologically friendly systems if we want to have a better environment to live in. Fighting climate change is not just a question of giving up old habits but most importantly it is a matter of keeping our earth habitable and stable.

Thus, this temporary committee is of major importance. The European Parliament is committed to doing its utmost together with the other key players in the world such as the United States, China and Japan so that action will be taken to fight climate change with a change in attitude.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist Member of the European Parliament and sits on the temporary committee on climate change.

www.davidcasa.eu