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When Barak Obama was setting out the challenges ahead in his powerful and historic victory speech, the first item on his list, after war, was 'a planet in peril'. Climate change is the issue which even the most powerful nation on earth can't avoid.

On All Things Considered this week (Sunday 9 November at 8.30am, repeated Wednesday 12 November at 6.30pm) Roy Jenkins meets Sir John Houghton, the Welsh scientist who is credited with doing more than almost anyone to bring climate change to the forefront of public and political consciousness, first as head of the Met Office, and then as chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

After decades of raising awareness, he remains a passionate advocate of the cause, and has been widely listened to in the United States by evangelical groups who previously looked on the whole issue with scepticism.

Also in the programme, we discuss the sometimes tricky matter of relationships between faiths. Twenty four Muslim scholars from around the world have been at the Vatican discussing how to overcome ignorance and mutual suspicion between Christianity and Islam. And here in Wales a process of consultation between Christians and Muslims has been under way for the past twelve months, and the next session takes place this week.

The series began by exploring the issues presented by different forms of religious extremism, and moves on now to the search for a common voice. Roy is joined by two of the convenors, Saleem Kidwai, of the Muslim Council for Wales, and Robin Morrison, of the Church in Wales.

Further information on "Challenges for the future - finding a common voice" can be obtained from:

Muslim Council of Wales
62 Whitchurch Road
Cardiff
Tel: 029 2034 4555

Sir John Houghton will be taking part in the forthcoming events:

'Climate Change, a challenge to scientists, Christians and all of us'.
Llandudno Town Hall,
Llandudno
Wednesday 12th November
7.30pm

Does God believe in Climate Change?
Calvary Baptist Church
134 Cowbridge Road East
Canton, Cardiff
Tuesday 25th November
10am until 3pm and 7pm until 9.30pm