I suspect that I’m not alone in feeling ignorant about many aspects of modern communication technology, partly because it’s difficult to teach an old dog new tricks, and mainly because I have always preferred doing something rather than talking about it.

I have never felt the compulsion to twitter.

While I’ve just about got to grips with e-mail, the fact that I don’t have a mobile phone means that I have very little idea of some of the advantages that this technology presents. And it looks as though I may be missing out on a very useful way of providing information about climate change and the role that human beings play in what’s happening.

A number of Australians are rightly concerned by the changing climate in their country. One software firm has produced a programme that can be used on an iPhone or iPod, as an app. Younger folk will perhaps know what this is and I guess that it refers to the word ‘application’.

Whatever, this app is called Sceptical Science and it is a valuable summary of the information available now on the increase, reported by the general media, in doubt and attacks by well-funded individuals who have an interest in proving that climate change has little to do with the way that we live.

The app provides an entire list of all the arguments put forward by those who are sceptical about climate change and then presents the scientific view for each statement. It’s divided into three main approaches – ‘it’s not happening’, ‘it’s not us’ and ‘it’s not bad’ – and presents the top ten sceptical views for each one. The page then outlines what the science says on each matter and it gives links to the relevant science literature so that it can be followed up in more depth.

Owners of iPhones shouldn’t take the screen statements for granted without checking on the original sources, as clearly the app is not a finely-balanced debate.

It is constructed by those who believe that climate change is happening, that it is becoming more serious and that a good proportion of the damage will be due to the way we use energy to improve our lifestyles and meet the needs of an increasing population.

They are clear, as I am, that the only uncertainty about climate change is when it will happen and how seriously. ‘If’ doesn’t come into it.

Younger generations of Thomsons have been tasked with using their nimble brains and fingers to explore their mobiles and report back their findings for me to comment on in due course.