Cancun may mark a point of turning for better climate

Comments on Julian Hunt “Cancun marks a turning point”, 14/12/2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/cancun-marks-a-turning-point/story-e6frg6zo-1225970529189
The Cancun outcome does not necessarily mean what Professor Hunt argues it means.

Hunt's assessment shows the disappointment by people who would like greater and more significant actions and earlier actions. To them, Cancun is far short of their expectations.

Let's say Cancun means actions for the next decade. Then we will have a lot of time to take further and possibly more significant actions in the future after the next decade.

If Cancun can result in real actions by major emitters especially the US that has not been part of the Kyoto actions, then it will pave the way for a better future.

The important point is to get every country to act.

Cancun may play that role, if the US government can get congress to approve it.

People should be optimistic as opposed to pessimistic about actions to tackle climate change.

There can be multiple paths of actions. Cancun can only present an earlier part of the paths.

I agree that Cancun may mark a turning point, but that is a point to turn better rather than worse.