Apropos of the discussions ongoing at the G8 summit, on January 9, 2004, Tony Blair’s chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, wrote in Science magazine, ” In my view, climate change is the most severe problem that we are facing today–more serious even than the threat of terrorism.” Sir David has been frustrated at the way the G8 climate talks are heading — towards the President’s position rather than the alarmist position King takes. I wonder if anyone will ask him whether that statement still represents his view today. The answer could be illuminating. I also imagine the communique might be even more muted about global warming’s importance in world affairs than it was poised to be.