Climate change does not respect national boundaries. The air blows globally whether we wish it or not. The oceans flow and currents change via elements outside the control of governments. This may sound trite, but I want to highlight the fact that climate change is a global phenomenon. To curb it requires a collective effort: everyone pulling together in the same direction.

Kyoto was that process. Flawed or not, it's success lay in its collective goals and strategy. Canada was once Kyoto's champion, a Liberal government brought it to life. Now a Conservative government abandons it to death, in Durban. Sad.

In the early 80s as a young physician, I was moved by Norwegian then-Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland’s plea to save our global environment. Her early warning of climate change and ocean warming was backed by emerging but sound evidence. She warned that this was all irrevocable, if nations of the world did not act promptly and collectively. Out of this came the UN agreement to begin talks on climate change.

In the 80s, as Chair of the BC Medical Association's Council on Health Promotion, I was spurred by Brundtland’s report to begin an annual series of school essay-challenges and round tables with resource sectors, industry, aboriginal peoples and environmentalists. The goal was to begin awareness and early policy steps. The BCMA and later CMA began to lobby governments for change. Our movement was called "Preparing for a healthier Tomorrow".

That was almost 30 years ago. It is as if time has reversed itself. Fossil fuel-dependent nations have backed out of Kyoto. The ability to look at best practices has given way to self-interest.

It was the great industrial revolution (though we were unaware, then) that brought the globe to this pass. Coal was the fossil fuel of choice. Nations became wealthy, global powers creating massive fiscal inequity and thus began the terms "developed and developing worlds".

Today when you see what nations oppose Kyoto they now include the new developed nations who want (and why not?) their piece of the industrialisation pie. The cycle continues. Once nations with coal became wealthy. Now it's nations with oil or access to.

Can our planet withstand another 30 years of argument, debate and denial? Can donations to emerging nations alleviate the guilt of donors who can but do little? As we watch the promise of Kyoto wither, the debate about crude oil pipelines and ocean transport continues and the corporate barons tell us it is all about jobs! As do the unemployed.

The eternal cycle!

Where is the Solomon? Maybe Ms. Brundtland’s nation has an answer. Maybe it can save Kyoto! Canada certainly won't.