Should We be Forced to Act on Climate Change?

Do we need to be made to do something about climate change? A major UN report released today says that global warming is likely to have a "severe, pervasive and irreversible" impact - floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires are likely to become commonplace. But the warnings are only increasing in severity; meanwhile what actions have historically been agreed to have been torn up or abandoned. So should people be forced to change their behaviour for the sake of the planet? Or, is it about governments having to do something? And if so, is that compatible with their need to be re-elected?

(Photo: Industrial chimneys blowing out smoke. Credit: AFP)