“If wind energy were the one practical and affordable answer to global warming then I would grit my teeth at the loss of the countryside and accept it. But I know that windfarms are no answer to global warming in northern Europe.”

James Lovelock’s retort to UK environment minister Ed Miliband’s claim that it should be “socially unacceptable to be against wind turbines in your area – like not wearing your seatbelt”.

“We are in a dilemma. We want to support Obama – we know he has political difficulties. But we want him to know he has to do more.”

A European delegate to the UN climate negotiations in Bonn this week.

“The creation of Arctic forces reflects a normal desire to protect our territory.”

Polar scientist Artur Chilingarov on Russian plans for new military units patrolling the country’s northenmost reaches – where thawing is sparking disputes over rights to resources.

“Any delay in fighting global warming would be detrimental to our economic stability – costing us billions of dollars and dampening the state’s most important economic sectors.”

Linda Adams, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, sums up a new report on projected climate change impacts in the state.