Basically, the bottom line as spelled out by Prince Charles at his second national May Day Summit on climate change which attracted 250 business people to its Peterborough event, is that if we don’t take action now, then in the not too distant future we will have so irreparably harmed our planet it will be impossible for it to go on sustaining life. That’s you and me, by the way.

It means, in true business-like fashion, when we are drawing up our “to do today” lists, reducing our carbon footprints must take top spot.

While not playing down the importance of the credit crunch – which according to Bank of England governor Mervyn King may well be over-stated and even over by Christmas – combating climate change will have so many long-term benefits for us all.

And the point which should send a tingle down the spine of all good businessmen and women is that climate change is a real business opportunity.

Put crudely, there is a chance to make money and to grow good, high quality businesses from the new technologies that are being developed to help make companies and products more environmentally sustainable.

It was a point made by the Prince last week. It was a point made by the engineering director of city-based Peter Brotherhood Ken Andrews at the opening of the Eco Innovation Centre, when he said: “The environment business has vast opportunities.”

Chief executive of UK CEED Jonathan Selwyn told a breakfast meet the current value of the environment sector to the UK economy is £25 billion and will grow to £46 billion by 2015.

Peterborough has a unique cluster of 350 environment-based companies, providing jobs for 5,000 people, with a combined turnover of £340 million.

In addition, there is growing pressure from suppliers and customers for sustainable produced goods and services.

Enough said. Time to act.