Daily Planet Media Group Founding Editor Patrick Cusick answers questions at the pre-launch of Daily Planet Media in London on 27 February. The DPM portal went on line at 00.01 hours GMT on 1 March 2007.

How can Daily Planet Media make a difference to reverse global warming and climate change?

This is a pivotal period of time for human beings living on Earth. All the known scientific evidence indicates overwhelmingly that the planet is warming up so fast that the next generation of humanity will most likely to be living in an environment that’s far more hot and hostile. Humanity is faced with two choices: Either we fix up the problem or face some hellish consequences. I don’t believe that effective solutions will come about without the combined effort and dedication of human beings worldwide. The main work of Daily Planet Media is to communicate the message that global warming and climate change is occurring and that the primary cause and solutions rest with human individuals, human communities, human businesses and corporations, governments and the United Nations. As a media group Daily Planet will provide accurate and credible news and information related to the global warming problem that threatens the wellbeing of the entire human race. The world is searching for solutions and – as a group of group of journalists and editors – Daily Planet Media has an important role to play as communicators to assist the world’s efforts to reverse the spiral of global warming.

What needs to be done to reverse global warming?

All the scientific research shows that the Earth is heating mainly because of the toxic emissions emanating from the fossil fuels of power generators, factories and combustion engines. There needs to be a co-coordinated plan worldwide to reduce emissions by at least 60 per cent. Here in London the Lord Mayor today issued a statement that the city’s emissions will be cut by 60 per cent by the year 2020. Power plants fueled by dirty fuels and the combustion engines used on cars, trucks, trains and jet planes have to be replaced or run on clean fuel. If a clean fuel can’t be found then humans will have to look for viable alternatives like the new generation electric cars, wind power and solar energy. We have to find out quickly if fossil fuels can be cleaned. If it’s not possible then nuclear power plants may have replace the big coal and oil burning power generating plants. The other option is that the world re-thinks how it receives electricity. There is no reason why smaller, cleaner power plants can’t supply communities with electricity. The point is that humanity can’t afford to just sit back and wait for solutions. Time is running out and the window of time is closing for urgent action.

Are all people aware of the global warming crisis?

Many are but there are millions of poor people who are battling for their own survival. When you are worried about day-to-day survival global warming is a secondary issue. Therefore the fight against global warming has to be lead and won by the developed wealthy countries.

What have you observed during your stay in the United Kingdom? Have you found much awareness for global warming and climate change ?

As a city London is leading the world in taking action to slow down global warming. Sir Richard Branson has pledged all profits from his Virgin air and rail interests over the next 10 years to combating global warming. The Prime Minister Tony Blair is now pinning his legacy on his government’s effort over the next six months to find solutions for global warming. Tony Blair has come out saying that climate change is a more important issue than the crisis in the Middle East. The fight for a sustainable Earth for human beings also has the full support of Prince Charles - the future King of England - who says…and I quote what the Prince said recently in the United States …” Perhaps we should see this as a war we simply have to win.”

The aviation industry is expected to account for 15% of global warming by 2015. As you know air transport was exempted from the Kyoto protocol on climate change. With the prospect of taxes on aviation fuel or airline travel to reduce climate change, Virgin’s pledge could be seen as greenwashing?

I don’t believe that’s the case at all. The money is going into Virgin Fuels which is doing valuable research to find a viable clean fuel for both jet aircraft and combustion engines. As well, Virgin Fuels is actively looking at the best of all potential viable biofuels. There is no reason to doubt Sir Richard when he says that adults have a duty to pass on a “pristine” planet to the next generation, and that humanity has to be weaned off its dependency on coal and fossil fuels. Virgin has committed $3 billion to climate change and I don’t believe this is just talk or cleaver public relations.

How can the developed world get sufficiently organized to cool down the planet?

One way would be for the United Nations to declare war on toxic emissions and appoint UN agents to identify those responsible for endangering human health.

What about the UN brokering an emissions treaty?

There is a lot of talk about an emissions treaty but there isn’t much time for politics and posturing. Those that are creating most of emissions should be penalized, and those who use clean fuels - such and battery operated electric cars - should be rewarded. For most people money is the most sought after commodity on Earth. If emissions are to be brought down by 60 per cent then there has to be a money incentive otherwise nothing will happen.

How real is that solutions can be found to stop climate change?

The Earth has a history of recurring ice ages and warm periods. There are integrating dynamics involved with the relationship between the sun and Earth as it moves around the galaxy. But the rise in temperatures that we have seen over the past one hundred years has been more than 90 per cent caused by human emissions. It’s emissions that are the problem and the solutions lie with bringing down emissions. There are alternative clean fuels such wind and solar power, and the battery electric car has already been proven to be popular and viable. If the electric car could be manufactured tax free to the consumer a lot of the emissions would be cut back and the cities would have far less pollution. Coal is a major polluter and power plants fueled by coal can’t be allowed to keep on poisoning the atmosphere. In China there are two more coal powered electricity generated plants opening every single day. This is not just a problem for China…coal fumes from China are choking the whole planet.

Are there any signs that the battle against global warming is winnable?

There has been some significant progress on several fronts. Firstly Al Gore is changing popular politics into a world culture based on the admirable principle of sustaining the planet for the wellbeing of all humanity. The Gore Alliance for Climate Change is doing powerful work for the Earth and human beings everywhere. Secondly, business worldwide is making the choice to going green and take action against emissions. Environmental awareness and Earth consciousness is now regarded by many CEO’s as being socially responsible. Business leadership is imperative if emissions are to be cut back as part of an overall solution package that needs to be worked out by the world’s leaders and the United Nations. Thirdly, the mainstream press is giving a lot more attention to global warming. While the war against terror is still grabbing more headlines this could change later in the year as the world gets more clarity on the specific causes of global warming and searches for practical solutions to prevent further deterioration to the planet’s environment.

How will Daily Planet Media assist the sustainability of the Earth for human beings?

Firstly by publishing an internet portal with the first on-line daily news update on the issues of global warming, climate change and the sustainability of Earth. This first stage will be the work of media professionals who have the responsibility to present important issues clearly in a way that is interesting to all readers. Each month The Earth Report will review the state of the planet providing valuable information and insight into what’s being done to address the core issue of global warming. Stage two will open up the Daily Planet Media portal to social networking so that everyone can access a diversity of opinions, along with videos and audio. The Daily Planet Media portal will develop into becoming a one-stop multiple information source centre and reference point for the twin issue of global warming and climate change.