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AS we count down the days to the global climate summit in Copenhagen it's becoming clear that, notwithstanding the likely presence of US President Barack Obama and other world leaders, the meeting is not going to produce a comprehensive agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

This has led to much gnashing of teeth among millions of well-meaning people who worry about global warming.

But they should take heart. Copenhagen's failure may be a blessing in disguise.

It may even bring us closer to a real solution to climate change.

To a large segment of the environmental community, it is an article of faith that the only way to stop global warming is to cut carbon emissions quickly and heavily. To suggest otherwise is to risk being labelled a crackpot, a...