WITH the world holding its breath, was it a suprise that the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen came to no ratified agreement?

Is it beyond the expectation of the population of the planet to expect the respective leaders of our nations to come to some sort of agreement on the way forward?

Instead it would appear that arguments and wrangling over procedure by the bean counters took precedence over the actual negotiations by our leaders. It is pitiful, to say the least.

As a nation, when are we going to start being serious about wasted energy? And when are the ‘not in my backyard’ people going to wake up?

We could make a start by fitting solar panels to the roofs of all new houses, by law.

In fact, the roof could be constructed as one solar panel.

This can be used for hot water and electricity, with long term financial savings – and significant savings of natural resources rolled out as a nation. Surely, we have the brians in this country to design and manufacture this.

We could also recycle our water more. Water which has been used for washing clothes, for example, could go through filtration and then be used for loo flushing.

All new houses should use electrical accumulators (dry battery cells) which could be used in conjuction with power generated through green measures, such as tidal power schemes or wind farms.

There are many options out there. The only thing stopping us seems to be convention and attitude. Such misuse of natural resources cannot continue as our supplies will soon run out.

We need to stop playing and get on with the job at hand to safeguard our future and set an example to others, instead of being left behind by most of our European neighbours.

The new year is here – it’s time for change, and time to wake up.

Steve Plant, Thorney Leys, Witney