LONDON -- The global-warming conference in the Netherlands last month ended without agreement. Some scientists are still debating how real global warming is and how serious its effects are likely to be. Others are still inclined to argue that climates evolve naturally with warm and cold periods alternating. They note that in medieval times there were as many vineyards in Britain as there are now, but a period that began in the late 17th century was cold enough to make the Thames freeze solid.

The evidence from past history is inconclusive partly for lack of accurate records, but there is no doubt that the world has been suffering recently from extreme weather patterns. Here in Britain we have had the wettest autumn since reliable records began to be kept over 200 years ago. This has led to widespread flooding, casualties and damage. We cannot be sure that this is all due to global warming, but we would be foolish to dismiss the evidence that the icecaps are decreasing in size and the fact that this is likely to lead to a rise in sea levels.

This could be serious for some coastal areas in Britain and, of course, for the Netherlands. In the Pacific, it could even lead to the disappearance of some low-lying island countries. It behooves us all to take account of the interests of such areas and to try to reduce the emissions that have apparently led to global warming.