Times (UK): It is now a commonplace that there is a plausible threat to the welfare of our species from the environmental damage caused by us. This notion, with its echoes of the Mutual Assured Destruction of the Cold War, has in recent years evolved rapidly from minority obsession to international political preoccupation. Many eminent scientists have joined in as the debate has rolled on, but only a handful can claim that they were seminal. Prime among the small group of pioneers is James …