As ordinary people try to cope with inflation and unemployment, and businesses struggle with higher taxes and falling demand — since consumers are scared to spend — few politicians are looking at life beyond the economic crises.
Anyone concerned about the kind of world their children will face, however, should be worried about the findings of the World Energy Outlook 2011 published recently by the International Energy Agency (IEA). To put it bluntly, the world is heading for disaster of irreparable climate change.
On the eve of yet another round of climate talks, which opens this week in Durban, South Africa, the report should be a clarion call for urgent action. Sadly, no one holds out any hope of progress or show of leadership. Governments are too busy trying to save today to look at tomorrow.