Sir David Attenborough has backed an Apollo-style research programme which is said to make renewable energy cheaper than fossil fuels.
The naturalist joins a group of eminent scientists, business executives and politicians backing a 10-year public research and development plan to cut the costs of clean energy and deliver affordable technologies to store and transport solar and wind power.
David has said: "I have been lucky enough to spend my life exploring the world’s oceans, forests and deserts. But the Earth...is now in danger. Just one thing, however, would be enough to halt climate change. If clean energy became cheaper than coal, gas or oil, fossil fuel would simply stay in the ground."
Scientists are estimating that about 80% of fossil fuel reserves must remain if global warming is to be limited to 2 degrees Celsius, a rise seen as the safety limit.
The letter, with signatories including oil executive Lord John Browne, former energy secretary Ed Davey and climate scientist Sir Brian Hoskins, says: "The plan requires leading governments to invest a total of $15bn (£10bn) a year in research, development and demonstration of clean energy. That compares to the $100bn currently invested in defence R&D globally each year. Public investment now will save governments huge sums in the future. What is more, a coordinated R&D plan can help bring energy bills down for billions of consumers."
However, some experts argue that fossil fuels are far more expensive than they appear, once subsidies and the costs of the damage their pollution causes is included.
