Copenhagen - Hopenhagen - Nopenhagen

Whenever and wherever a conference attended by the world's political leaders takes place, it usually has a familiar feel to it. Mass protests, heavy handed police and an end result which is hailed by some as a great hope for the world and by others as an almighty flop.

The Copenhagen Climate Change Summit was the latest of these, and the hype leading up to it was quite explosive. Finally all the world can come together and bash out an agreement on how to combat one of, if not the greatest threat to our world for some time.

In the end, the hype only proved to mask the apathy of the majority of people, politicians included, feel about the issue. People just don't care, and others try to absolve the guilt of years of mass industrialisation causing the inevitable collapse of our planet by pretending it's nothing to do with them (see: Jeremy Clarkson). The fact that the majority of scientists seem to agree this is happening because of human hands isn't enough for them, it's all a left wing plot to gain control over everyone and create a totalitarian world... apparently.

The problem is that there isn't anyone in power who really wants to do anything. In the UK for example, Labour comes out with the rhetoric about acting now to save the planet, then decide what we really need is a third runway at Heathrow. Apparently we need it for economic growth (personally I feel that if economic growth means ignoring our commitment to saving the planet then it can piss off). And whatever the Conservatives say, they won't be any better. There will be a few flimsy schemes here and there, but it won't do much. Governments tend to do the bidding of whomever gives them a lot of money these days, and right now that's energy companies.

In the end the agreement was woeful. The more important issues were kept for debating probably next year, while the Gordon Brown said: "We have made a start." Erm.. its a bit late to be making just a start now! The finger of blame has been thrown around, George Monbiot blamed America, saying they put China in an "impossible position", while Ed Miliband blamed China. In reality, both are to blame. America refuses to make concessions, while China sees that it has the right to the growth that other developed countries have already seen. Interestingly, The Australian blamed African nations for demanding the world improve its living conditions; they should be, its sort of part and parcel of a deal to battle climate change that we should also help a Continent we have raped for resources over the years.

So a flop it was. And it didn't help that everyone flew in and limos were driven in from Germany to transport people, adding very much to the problem and giving the climate change deniers more ammo. In other words, we're screwed. Best say goodbye to Bangladesh, Maldives and any other places that won't exist in about 50 years time.

Ps. If you didn't listen to The Now Show last weekend, try to. Marcus Brigstocke's bit on this very subject was fantastic.