Long-term trends

I totally agree with John Schellnhuber (People, November 12) that a better understanding of possible thresholds in the climate system beyond which rapid, damaging changes may occur is absolutely vital.

However, the reaction should not be to divert funds from weather research to climate change - both are vital.

Climate affects us through the weather, and weather systems perform an important feedback role in the climate system.

If we were starting from scratch in allocating research funds now, it is my firm belief that they would both get higher priority than they do at present.

Brian Hoskins
Vice-chair
World Climate Research Programme
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