Gordon Brown: World could be set for environmental catastrophe

Prime minister Gordon Brown has spoken of his fears that climate change could have more implications than those felt by the UKs gardeners.

The Labour leader is concerned that the world could be set for catastrophe if carbon emissions continue to rise.

Speaking at the recent Major Economies Forum, Mr Brown told delegates that swift action is essential or the effect could be worse than a combination of the two world wars and the Great Depression combined.

He said there is no back-up plan for the environment and stressed that action must be taken sooner rather than later.

"If we do not reach a deal at this time, let us be in no doubt – once the damage from unchecked emissions growth is done, no retrospective global agreement in some future period can undo that choice," the prime minister said.

It recently emerged that Mr Brown has instructed Downing Street gardeners to create an area for growing food as part of his own contributions to the UKs sustainability.