Today also marked the start of a conference in Copenhagen on climate change at which delegates from 192 countries will, at some time or other, be present. We do not disparage the worthy intentions which lie behind the conference but we cannot help wondering whether it will make a significant contribution to arresting and negating the effects of climate change. There are issues which need to be faced honestly and squarely. Firstly there is the absence of a consensus as to the causes of climate change and the extent to which it's the result of industrial pollution and other factors over which mankind has control. If it is indeed responsible, reducing pollution and carbon emissions will only be effective if the world's biggest polluters - China, India and the USA are fully signed up to taking anti-pollution measures. As the President of the United States, who was reluctant to attend in the first place, will only be there for a couple of the least important days of the conference, we should have cause to be concerned. There is of course the unanswered question of as to whether it's all too little too late. Are we closing the stable door when the horse has bolted? We hope, sincerely, that the Copenhagen Conference will end up generating more than hot air.