COP21 opened today in Paris with a focus on one of the international community's most serious oversights: the annual allocation of public subsidies worth hundreds of billions of dollars to artificially lower the price of oil, coal and gas.

While there is much talk in Paris about 'putting a price on carbon', many here believe that undoing the opposite signals that cut the price of carbon is the obvious place to begin.

The

In many countries the most visible symbols of climate change are linked with the fossil fuel economy. Gas guzzling 4X4 vehicles, expanding airports and coal-fired power plants understandably among them. But what of land and forests? For some nations the changing state of their natural systems is a bigger issue than their use of fossil-based energy.

I'm not really a sports fan, but I am pleased today to be making my debut as a sports writer. I do understand the excitement that comes from following the fortunes of a favorite team or figure, but I sometimes find major sporting events a little empty, a diversion of energy and somehow detached from the real world.

An event to be staged in London this weekend (June 27th and 28th) will, however, be an exception.

World Environment Day provides an excellent moment to reflect on the direction of travel we are collectively embarked upon, and to consider what might be some of the most important questions as we chart our course toward the future.

One thing that is ever more clear is how it is unwise to continue as we are.