Because of the deep disappointments caused by the failed talks last year, few people this year have expressed much optimism.  But I think there are reasons to be more hopeful this time around. 

2010 was a year of severe weather in many parts of the world (devastating fires in Russia, serious flooding in Pakistan, Taiwan, Brazil, Guatamala, El Salvador and much of Mexico); civic society NGOs have become more vocal and politically effective in their concerns; and private sector agencies that depend on predictable weather (e.g. insurance firms and agribusiness) or major supplies of water (e.g. energy and mineral processing firms) are starting to feel the impacts of climate change.

I do not think we will see sweeping or all-encompassing agreement on greenhouse gas reductions.  But I do think we will see a start or a boost to numerous smaller agreements.  For example, I think we will see incremental progress about financial assistance to vulnerable countries, deforestation, technology transfers, exchange of scientific information, and carbon trading protocols. 

Even though the Republican Congress in the US is hostile to climate change negotiations and concessions, I think the moves by countries such as China, Brazil and the European Union to reduce their environmental damage and improve their technologies will prompt the US to take more note of climate change strategies.

At least, this is what I hope.  The planet is already on an unstoppable course to experience major climate change and sea level rise, and major change to land and marine ecosystems.  But a brief survey of the web is enough to show that all round the world there are community groups and non-governmental organisations dedicated to bringing about change.  Even such mainstream institutions as the World Bank has accepted that environmental impacts on climate and natural resources such as water are a matter of major concern for the assessment of development proposals. 

We can always hope.