So much rests on the world being able to control itself. Supplies of clean water, crops, deforestation and the consequent mass poverty and displacement flow from this. It would be wrong to characterise the failure at Copenghagen to be solely the fault of the USA. Europe, China, India and Brasil all participated in the patched up agreement. Much of Asia actually welcomed the agreement whereas an African representative likened it to genocide.

Calls have been made to ensure that world decision making bodies allow developing countries which suffer most from climate change and receive less than their due for the commodities they produce, a more equal say in decision making.

Moreover it is now critical that global issues like climate change, trade imbalance and the world financial crisis are treated globally as they affect us all, so that the right decisons are taken. The time is passed when national priorities can be allowed to override the global good and this is true of China just as it is of America.

The world needs to achieve a balance and a unity of purpose. It needs an effective world body that will take decisions instead of putting them off . If all countires will support the UN and give it authority and support this may be the best answer.

Can the world control itself? We hope so.

The World needs a resumption of confidence and hope so that jobs and the very fabric of society will be preserved. Above all we need optimism and a belief that things will get better.