in 2007, the need to face and deal with the problem of climate change achieved a breakthrough in political and public consciousness. This year, the price of oil and the price on many basic food-stuffs have rocketed and the need for a concerted effort by all nations to deal with global problems in being more widely recognised. Saudi Arabia's convening of a recent summit of oil producers and consumers is indicative of the recognition of the need for effective and coordinated international action.
