THINK of vineyards, grapes and wine and you imagine the south of France or Portugal.

Kirkburton definitely does not spring to mind.

But Dr Paul Rogers can now boast a flourishing miniature vineyard - in the garden of his home in Hallas Road.

Keen gardener Dr Rogers, 60, bought two sets of Silvaner Reisling vines in Wales as an experiment.

He planted the vines in his garden - one eight years ago, the second four years ago.

After several mild winters and this year's scorching summer, his vines are now producing grapes.

Until now he has left the vines untouched.

But his crop is so good he says he may harvest it in October and attempt to make wine, creating Chateau Huddersfield.

However, Dr Rogers said his latest gardening success carried a serious message about climate change.

He said: "It is about as good a proof as you would want that the climate is changing."

Although hot summers and mild winters sound promising, Dr Rogers said climate change was not a good thing.

Dr Rogers has been a professor of peace studies at Bradford University for 24 years.

His job involves learning about climate change in relation to his lecturing on international security and terrorism.

He has learned of scientists' growing concerns that major climate change is under way.

He said it was not a simple case of high temperatures - which themselves have killed thousands of people in France and in poorer countries like India this summer.

Rising temperatures could also provoke unpredictable weather.

Dr Rogers said experts claim rain will shift from tropical regions and fall over oceans instead, meaning increasing difficulties in food production.

In poorer countries, he said this could lead to people migrating to seek food and better conditions.

"If this summer was a wake-up call that this is happening, that is all for the good," he said.

He said previously cautious climate experts are now warning carbon dioxide emissions and the use of fossil fuel have to be slashed by up to 60% immediately.

Renewable energy sources had to be found and poorer nations must be given help to prepare for the effects of future extreme weather.

He said: "The real question is whether we have the political will to make the changes now. That requires leadership. Politicians are only now facing up to the problem."

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