Green Daily

A day after the G8 group of rich nations decided - in principle - that greenhouse emissions should be cut by 50% by 2050, they were joined by leaders from Australia, Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Mexico and South Africa, who agreed that climate change is Very Bad Indeed.

The kicker here is that not only is there no binding agreement of any kind, but in the case of yesterday's statement by the broader group of nations there isn't even a proposed target. What we heard is the usual mealy-mouthed "taking-it-seriously" drivel that politicians spew when they need to sound like they care but don't plan to do anything.

For example: "We commit to combat climate change in accordance with our common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities", which can be loosely translated as "We'll do whatever doesn't really cost anything, and we're hoping that other people will do a lot more."

The simple fact is this: with climate change, we pay now or we pay much more later. Leaders take their cues from citizens, meaning if we want tangible action to avoid sliding ever more rapidly into crisis, it's our job to demand it, and to be willing to pay for it at the gas pump or elsewhere. Otherwise our politicians will still be talking about how to avoid the iceberg while the ship slips beneath the waves.