It is that in order to "change course and steer away from critical tipping points... that might lead to rapid and irreversible change", something radical is needed.

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They go further and point to, just as one example of their argument, the way in which population rise could lead to a phase change, a chaotic and of unknown outcome, rapid and irreversible change in our environment.

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Scientists and economists have said this plan risks leading to catastrophic and irreversible climate change.

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We believe that this transition must immediately demonstrate irreversible political change, and a negotiated path to democracy.

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Human activities are to blame, Jarraud says, and temperatures are "rapidly approaching" a level which scientists believe could kick-start "far-reaching and irreversible" climate change.

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Of the myriad economic consequences positive and negative of this irreversible, tidal wave of change, one has become crystal clear: America has been left with a glut of commercial property that poses a major threat to our economic wellbeing.

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And we will be back having the same stale arguments month after month, year after year, perhaps decade after decade, all while the danger of climate change grows until it is irreversible.

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Mr Uribe himself says that the improvement in security is not yet irreversible and that is why he is seeking to change the constitution to run for a third term.

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While we hope and pray that the underlying strengths of the global economy will -- once again -- enable it to bounce back, the effects of climate change will be far from temporary and will, indeed, be irreversible.

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