Climate change is a complex science and technology-related issue that will have profound effects on developing and industrial countries alike, and is a central policy issue for all societies. The lecture reviews the scientific situation and the current state of the negotiations to provide an appreciation of the phenomenon and of the response to date of the international community. A more political analysis of the climate change issue is also presented, including why the issue is in many respects entirely unique, and why the US political system is not able, yet, to mount an adequate reply. Finally, some musings about what might have been and what the future is likely to hold.

A transcript of the lecture is provided.