Radiohead’s Thom Yorke has called for national governments and the European Union to act in the battle against global warming.

Yorke said that the world would "never wake from the nightmare of climate change” unless structures were put in place.

His comments came as The Big Ask launched a Europe-wide campaign against climate change.

The Big Ask Europe, which unites Friends of the Earth groups in 17 countries, want to see a legally binding annual emissions cut.

Yorke has been associated with the group since it was launched in 2005 and is among a number of musicians who have spoken out on behalf of the cause.

In a statement, Yorke said that “by committing to annual cuts in our emissions at a national and European level we can play our part in tackling climate change, and set an example for the rest of world to follow."

According to Government figures published last year, the UK looks unlikely to meet its target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 20% in 2010, reports the BBC.

(by Jason Gregory)