The important voices weigh in on climate change

We live in a democracy the theory goes. How nice if it were true. But it isn't. When the mass media is owned by a few media barons and the economy dominated by corporations, the voice of the people is only part, and possibly the least part, of the political dialogue. The plutocracy is at least as important. And now a select group of plutocrats has weighed in on climate change. The prospect of the politicians doing something suddenly looks much brighter.

The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change has issued a Copenhagen Communique. It states, "Economic development will not be sustained in the longer term unless the climate is stabilized. It is critical that we exit this recession in a way that lays the foundation for low-carbon growth." The high-powered group includes over 500 leading global companies including Bombardier, Scotiabank, Sun Microsystems, British Petroleum and Shell. Note particularly the presence of oil companies.

The communique insists that, "These targets will need to be guided by science," and goes on to reference the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It emphasizes that, "Developed countries need to take on immediate and deep emission reduction commitments that are much higher than the global average."

The big dogs have barked. Will the politicians listen now?