When is the time to compromise

This morning various news sources have been quoting a scientist who wants Copenhagen to fail. He has said the starting point for negotiations is so far short of the mark that it would be better for the planet not to arrive at a deal. To be honest my first thought was, 'that's why scientists hang out in clean labs and politicians do the dirty business of politicking in some convention corridor.' The scientist is right is saying there needs to be radical change, but as soon as you use a word like 'radical' it's amazing how many folks batten down the hatches and wait for ideological storm to pass by. Whatever the outcome in Copenhagen, some people aren't going to be happy campers. There's lots of money to be lost. It's going to cost us all somewhere down the line. We all know there will be winners and losers in Copenhagen. My hope if for the vulnerable poor to be the winners. I wouldn't like to speculate on the losers, but it's probably only going to work if those who have been plundering take the hit. Their way of doing things has to be left behind in the a new low-carbon age.