I think your own country has done a lovely job for all of us over the past year in that regard already.

And quite simply - if we do not sort out our environmental issues, we will have problems that no economist can fix.

We have to change. If people don't want to change, if they refuse to be globally responsible, then they must be forced to change. Quite frankly - the lazy and moronic can not be allowed to ruin the efforts of the rest of us.

Economically beneficial, environmentally responsible means of conducting business exist. There are tax breaks to be had, grants to be won, help to be had ( I know - I've got them all where I work - and we even get given free bulbs by our energy firms ). Want to put PV arrays on your home? Our council will give you about a 50% grant. Want to use LPG rather that fuel? Tax breaks make it HALF the price of usual petrol.

The US is weak at the knees about the Toyota Prius - which will net you about 45mpg in typical usage. Here in Europe - it's a bit of a joke for being branded as 'green' when netting barely half what some conventional vehicles will get you. It's time for the lip service to finish, and the action to begin.

Your favourite political party's friends in the oil industry will suffer, they will object, they will fight to slow down progress - but eventually, they will realise, and so will you, it's not the 80's any more.