Sir David King has already urged action over global warming

Sir David King, who is also head of the UK office of science and technology, is visiting Teesside University.

He is due to deliver the university's annual science and technology lecture.

Sir David has already said the world has to adapt to prepare for significant changes ahead. He warns we must reduce greenhouse gases.

Professor Brian Hobbs, dean of the school of science and technology at the university, said: "Science and technology feature highly on our government's agenda and the issue of climate change is of global significance.

'Serious issue'

"We are extremely pleased that Sir David has agreed to be our lecturer this year and we look forward to a stimulating and thought-provoking event."

Earlier this month, Sir David told a conference in London that levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere already represent a danger.

He said climate change was "the most serious issue facing us this century and beyond".

He added that on present trends the world was just 60 years from triggering an irreversible climate disaster.

If warming temperatures one day melted the Greenland ice cap, he said, that would mean global sea levels would ultimately rise by 6-7m (19-22ft).