© AFP/Getty/Nasa James Lovelock, who first detected CFCs in the atmosphere and proposed the Gaia hypotheses
Saving the planet from climate change is 'beyond our ability' and we should stop wasting time trying to tackle global warming, a leading scientist has claimed.
James Lovelock, who first detected CFCs in the atmosphere and proposed the Gaia hypotheses, claims society should retreat to 'climate-controlled cities' and give up on large expanses of land which will become uninhabitable.
Lovelock, who has just published his latest book A Rough Ride To The Future, claims we should be 'strengthening our defences and making a sustainable retreat.'
"We're reaching an age in history where you can no longer predict the future with any hope of success.
"We should give up vainglorious attempts to save the world.
"Britain is no longer a world power and we need to leave such schemes to the USA, Japan or China. We should spend out efforts adapting Britain to fight climate change."
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is expected to say the world will need a 'Plan B' because it is unlikely countries will reduce carbon emissions in time.
In March the IPCC said that global warming would increase flooding, storm surges, droughts and heatwaves.
Violent conflicts and food shortages were also forecast to increase over coming decades due to rising temperatures, while a growing number of animal and marine species will face increased risk of extinction.
Scientists said that by taking immediate steps to reduce carbon emissions over the coming decades, there could be a reduction in potential consequences by the end of the century.
In his new book Lovelock writes: "We may have wasted valuable time, energy and resources by trying to grapple with climate change on a global scale.
"It sounds good to try to save the planet, but in reality we are not thinking of saving Gaia, we are thinking of saving Earth for us, or for our nation.
"The idea of 'saving the planet' is a foolish extravagance of romantic Northern ideologues and probably much beyond our ability.
"In a changing climate cities are most less vulnerable to external heat than our individuals. If most of us lived in cities, as it seems we soon will do, the regulation of the climate of these cities might be far easier, more economic and safer option in a hot climate than the regulation by geoengineering of the whole planet. "
He also claimed that life on Earth could move away from organic creatures towards computerised life-forms
"I think like all organisms on Earth our species has a limited lifespan," he said.
"If we can somehow merge with our electronic creations in a larger scale endosymbiosis, it may provide a better next step in the evolution of humanity and Gaia."
However Lovelock adds a cautionary warning. "I must admit an empathetic dread for some unfortunately future person whose body becomes connected to one of more of the ubiquitous social networks.
"I can imagine no punishment more severe than having my still comparatively clear mind overtaken by the spam of hucksters and the never-ceasing gossip of the Internet."
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