Let it be! The Good News of Christmas

Christmas is that time of the year when most of us go out of our way to be kind and generous; even peaceful and hopeful. So let it be! And the tone of this issue – the last for the year – is one where we take a hopeful stance, looking at the positives of the landmark Cancun climate change conference (while not totally ignoring the negatives). We present Jessica Cheam, reporting very positively from Cancun for the Straits Times and ecobusiness.com. And review  the overview of Cancun achievements by Greg Picker and Fergus Green in “A Very Cancun Christmas Present to Savor”. The cost of the Cancun decisions – not unlike the cost of Christmas spending for many – will be paid off over time, but necessarily so. Talking about costs – and a little negativism creeping in here – is the “cash for clunkers” scheme in Australia. The UK is looking at helping households carry the rising cost of  fuel bills by promoting effective energy efficiency programmes, while IBM is advancing its work on Smarter cities and the Australian Green Building Council plugs the Government’s “our cities” plan. Julian Hunt gives his slant on China’s approach to climate change action and José Goldemberg advocates a practical way towards the dream of energy and food security, and sustainable development and growth. We are doubly pleased to profile Dr Martin Blake, sourced from Eco Walk The Talk, as he has not only agreed to join our Singapore venture, Sustain Ability Showcase Asia, but has committed to base his new global consultancy Carbon Zero Solutions in the heart of Asia/Pacific. Season’s Greeting to all our readers where-ever they may be – snow-bound, sun-burnt or rain-drenched! – Ken Hickson