Isn't the only hope for the planet that the industrialized civilizations collapse? Isn't it our responsibility to bring about?

I believe we are going to move into a situation where the more effective conferences will be smaller, more specialized, more focused, with occasional large gatherings to get the attention of the larger world.

A shift is necessary toward lifestyles less geared to environmental damaging consumption patterns.

Well they do have a use, but we should never believe that any international conference is going to suddenly solve problems like the condition of the global environment.

Also, it is interesting that developing countries, with China and India perhaps in the lead, where the future of the global environment will be decided are now on board with the case for sustainable development.

We owe at least this much to future generations, from whom we have borrowed a fragile planet called Earth.