Welcome with us Hoarveadveway
A major problem about reducing the effects of global warming (same as softening the effects of quite a number of other issues in our time) is that global activity is called for. This is not a petty matter to be dealt with on local or national level but something where the whole world has to work together (something at which mankind has not exactly proven to be apt so far).
One of the problematic aspects is that many of the Asian "take off" countries are now reaching a state of development which will result in a much higher emission of CO2. Millions and millions of bicycles are to be changed for cars before long. We cannot however pretend that this was the only problem (thereby shunning our own responsibility) and we would have a difficult stand trying to tell the people of these countries that they did not have the right to enjoy the ecology damaging luxuries which people in the western world have been enjoying for such a long time. Still we must hope to prevent many of them from repeating the mistakes committed by us and at the same time (and here is the most difficult part for most people) we must see our OWN mistakes and do better.
We must not talk ourselves into a doomsday mood (also a tactic to shun responsible action by pretending that everything was useless anyway) but we mustn't underestimate the problem either and stop taking too much for granted.
We need quick action (one cannot be content to extinguish the fire in a burning house gradually) but I'm afraid that, especially under the impression of the current economic crisis too much attention is taken from ecology to economy for any serious action to be conducted soon
PS: I will move this thread to the Fridge section where it seems to be more properly stored. I will keep it here for some more time though to make sure you read this and will know where to find the thread Hoarveadveway.