All rational people know that without a major shift, we are going to hit a wall, and yet, still, that terrifying truth has almost no bearing on actual policy decisions. Sooner or later, this is going to have to change and the Copenhagen Summit in December gives world leaders that chance. It is therefore hugely important.
I want to see the establishment of tough targets for emissions reductions, mechanisms for helping poorer countries adapt and shift, and crucially, a formula for putting real value on the services provided by forests so that they are worth more to forest nations standing, than destroyed.
Clearly it will be for individual countries to find their own ways to meet those targets, and each may choose a different course. It will be for citizens and national campaign groups to maintain huge domestic pressure to deliver. But for now, we need to focus on the international dimension. If leaders fail, the effect will be crushing.
