Slim's actions when he became British chief of staff were to shake up the system. He took over from Bernard Montgomery, who, true to form, used the occasion of the change of command to whine about things. Slim's response: "What have YOU done?!" A succinct but scathing indictment of the British system of leadership.

Research suggests that institutions limit the extent to which efficient policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are likely to be adopted.

Yes, we need to reduce dishonesty and corruption among our corporations, but we should look to our political class as well.

The United Nations conference in Copenhagen will follow in the hypocritical footsteps of Kyoto, with countries declaring their resolution to curb GHG emissions while at the same time either refusing to pay the costs or claiming exemption from controls.

Gradually lowering greenhouse gas emissions would be worthwhile were all states to join in the effort, but absent such strong, broad-based action, countries should explore other means of limiting harm from climate change.

The generation of new knowledge and the extent to which this knowledge is spread will be crucial components of efforts to address global climate change at acceptable costs.

A critical step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the introduction of new technologies for energy supply and use.

Can improved technologies help developing countriesreduce energy use per unit of economic output to produce greater wealth, health, and environmental quality?