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European note book by Neville de Silva
Is there a political will to implement climate-friendly policies?
Two weeks ago I was in Cologne for Carbon Expo. I had not heard of it before. Then, not many have, I suppose, unless you are into greenhouse gases, carbon emissions, carbon trading and the like.

It is rather new, this Carbon Expo, held at the Kolnmesse, the huge conference facility in that old part of Cologne with its beautiful cathedral, a stone's throw (depending on who throws the stone, of course) from the Intercontinental Hotel.

The Germans are rather proud of this Der Kolner Dom as they call it, perhaps the only building that survived the allied bombing in World War 2.

Anybody would be proud of its superb architectural and historical significance.
As much as one could become ecstatic over Cologne, which I first visited exactly 40 years ago and several times later, and what it has to offer the visitor, I wasn't there to reminisce over my first coming.

I was a guest of the World Bank at Carbon Expo. This is only the third time it has been held, this one attended by some 3000 participants from across the globe because, as I came to realise, it was a matter that should concern us all on Planet Earth.

I know little about carbon, except what I had studied in College during chemistry and biology lessons. All I know is that its chemical symbol is C, that carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and we do the same when we exhale- or so if I still remember my lessons.

Since I knew so little perhaps Sergio Jellinek, Communications Advisor, Sustainable Development at the World Bank who invited me and others connected with the programme such as Anita Gordon, senior communications officer of the bank's Carbon Finance Unit thought they would teach me a lesson.

Indeed they did and it was an important one too.
Those of us interested in sustainable development and even wish to make it an intrinsic part of journalism training, know the critical importance of preserving the environment and have read reports, sometimes alarming, about global warming and climate change without having detailed scientific knowledge of what really goes on.

It was certainly a learning curve, listening to some experts from within and without the World Bank who are collating studies ahead of the next G-8 summit in St Petersburg, Russia in a little over two months time.
One week before the summit, a high level meeting is scheduled to discuss energy security issues, a document produced by the Bank on "Clean Energy and Development" and the forthcoming report of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The results of these discussions will go before the summit. Among the participants are legislators from the US, European Union, Russia, UK, Germany and other G-8 countries.

What is particularly interesting to the developing world that is the most vulnerable to climate change and is projected to be the most seriously affected, are representatives from China, India, Brazil and Mexico.

One does not have to be a Nobel Laureate in economics or a fortune-teller to know that India and China are heading for superpowerdom. It may take another two decades or more before they become not only two of the largest economies in the world but also with significant military capabilities.

As they head for economic stardom they would need more and more energy to meet their power requirements. Given the vulnerability of the oil market to political and price pressures India and China would turn increasingly to fossil fuels such as coal of which both seem to have abundant supplies.

One problem is this. The more coal that is used the more carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Of course they could also use some nuclear-they are both nuclear powers don't forget - and hydropower to keep burgeoning economies running. And in Latin America there is another potential big power Brazil, not to mention a resurgent Mexico.

The question for these countries is how to develop a low carbon regime that is climate friendly. The issue now is that developing countries are asked to pay for a cleaner climate with technological changes and huge investments. Even these might not prove to be insurmountable hurdles.

What really matters is the political will to implement climate friendly policies.
But in the words of the World Bank's chief scientist Dr Robert Watson, the developing countries should not have to pay because the developed countries have caused the problem of global warming to begin with.

Perhaps the most important presentation, from the point of view of one who has heard both sides of the debate but not been able to read or listen to the causes and dangers of climate change put so succinctly, was the one made by Robert Watson. It contained data and thoughts that should make not just policy makers but business and civil society take serious note of.

The changes to our precious climate is taking place under our very noses but are being ignored or put in the back burner because mammon is more important than man.

If I return to the subject of global warming soon it is because some of the facts that Richard Watson made should be shared with the public so they are made aware of the great dangers that lie ahead. Equally Sir David Attenborough, the famous film-maker who many years ago brought to television some memorable footage on nature, will be telecasting this week his new films on climate change and the resultant ravages.

Climate change is "the biggest challenge and we have to face it," Sir David said the other day. Are we ready to face it or will we callously sacrifice future generations. That is the question, as Hamlet might have said.