In addition to the poll showing 9 out of 10 people are concerned about climate change, Mr Pöttering  quoted a recent UN report which said that "the years between 1995 and 2006 were among the 12 hottest since 1850".
 
He spelled out stark consequences of climate warming  "a further temperature rise of more than 5° s is a real possibility. An increase of that kind in the temperature of the Earth would certainly be a massive leap, bearing in mind that 5° represents the difference between today's climate and the climate during the last ice age". He reminded EU leaders that experts say a reduction of 2°C is technically feasible and economically affordable, if concrete and binding targets will be agreed.
 
World leaders must accept that there is no space for excuses any more, action is needed now, he said. On behalf of the European Parliament he presented proposals for closer cooperation with the national parliaments of the 27 EU member states on climate change and for Europe to take a leading role in becoming what he called a "low-CO2 economy".