In recent years Nigel Lawson has written extensively on climate change and has argued that policies enhancing the global community's ability to adapt, rather than just those seeking to limit greenhouse gas emissions, are the most affordable and effective response. He has criticised what he identifies as the "religion of eco-fundamentalism" and has instead emphasised the need to focus broadly on solutions that promote social and economic development. In his address Lord Lawson will canvas the problems inherent in the Kyoto Protocol and similar initiatives focused narrowly on the reduction of fossil fuel by-products, and make suggestions for a more sustainable and lower-cost approach to the global warming challenge.  Nigel Lawson, Baron Lawson of Blaby, was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1983 to 1989. Earlier he was Financial Secretary to the Treasury and then Secretary of State for Energy in Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's first government. He was a key proponent of the Thatcher government's privatisation policy and his years as Chancellor were associated with tax reform, financial deregulation and his opposition to the poll tax.