"Climate Change is the most important problem that society faces." That's according to Professor Mario Molina who visited Dublin this week as part of the DCU/Magnet Networks' Nobel Laureate lecture series. A 1995 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner, Professor Molina rose to prominence for highlighting the threat of CFCs to the ozone layer and now concentrates his research on climate change and air pollution.

Speaking at DCU, Professor Molina said,

"Climate change is the most important environmental problem, perhaps the most important problem facing society in this century. Our planet is in trouble because there are more than 7 billion people on it and we are beginning to stress some of its natural resources. Unless we exploit these resources in a more creative way, we are going to be in trouble, particularly for future generations."

Addressing secondary and third-level students at DCU, as well as through a live broadcast on aertv.ie, Professor Molina warned that the Earth's capacity to absorb waste from the activities of an increasing human population was diminishing. "About half the surface of our continents has already been changed or affected by human activity. What is limited is not the atmosphere but the atmosphere's capacity to absorb waste from human activities, without serious consequences."

Professor Molina's comments echo the findings of a new report, Climate Change, Impacts and Vulnerability in Europe 2012, by the European Environment Agency. Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said, "Climate change is a reality around the world, and the extent and speed of change is becoming ever more evident. This means that every part of the economy, including households, needs to adapt as well as reduce emissions."

Solution is within our Reach

However, Professor Molina stressed that we have the means to tackle the problem of climate change by collectively reducing emissions.

"There is no magic solution. We must do many things at the same time – use energy much more efficiently in industry and construction; harness solar, thermal and wind energy; put a price on emissions – if not, people will continue to behave as they currently do. We must work with developing countries who have not themselves changed the chemistry of the atmosphere but who have a right to develop their own countries."

"We have a responsibility to leave a planet that functions properly, where you can grow economies fast without the worry of food scarcity, droughts and floods. That can be done, we have the solutions. We have to work together and it is up to our young people to be leaders in these extremely demanding times."