It is our policy to support any effort being made to tackle the environmental crisis.  That said we fear that Copenhagen will fall short in two ways: 1.  Those undetaking agreed upon, and unlikely to be effected for many years, will be inadequate to avert environment catstrophe.  2. The fact that some agreement has been reached may undermine more realistic efforts being made by others. 

The good news is that many governments and politicians are going to be there and many are agreeing to take steps to curb emissions.  Although this is not going to be adequate, it is a positive start and a remarkable achievement by the UN and others.  Despite the USA's best offer being equivalent to a 4% cut on 1990 levels it still does feel as if we are starting to head in the right direction.

Fortunately the ludicrous smokescreen of "emailgate" has passed and apart from two prominent US sceptics on our TV screesn (why do they always sneer and shout?) there has been little damage done.

On the banks: The lasting control of the banks, and their superior strength to our elected leaders, have been exposed again.  In the UK RBS announces £1.5 bn worth of bonuses.  Darling says he won't be bullied.  We shall see.  In Ireland the AIB bank board, having been encouraged by the government to appoint a new-broom CEO from outside, totally disregarded that advice and appointed Colm Doherty from their investment wing.  We'll see how firm the Irish government are in handling that snub.   

It appears bankers are more powerful than our elected leaders, and they no longer mind if we know it.  They think they are untouchable.  SOS will show them they are wrong.  There will be a reckoning.