A BBC poll taken among 22,000 people in 21 countries claims that the vast majority - around 80 per cent - are ready to make personal sacrifices for climate change (see here). If the political will is there, why aren't governments reacting? Because they're woefully out of touch, that's why. This current Labour government for example still puts the interests of business ahead of its own tax-paying citizens. And that's where the 80 per cent now have to focus their efforts - by using their vote where possible to elect people with the leadership skills to take those hard decisions that will ultimately face us all.

As an aside, despite all my energy saving measures which have resulted in my planetary footprint as reported earlier, I don't feel like I've made many - if any - sacrifices at all. I'm healthier, better off financially (oh the irony!) and - despite all the moaning on this blog - happier too. If only all so-called sacrifices were like this...