* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history, not only spelling disaster for the seafood industry and therefore livelihoods, but also destroying one of most beautiful ecosystems on the planet.
People are rightly demanding urgent action. I can't help wondering: Does it really take such a high-profile environmental catastrophe for governments to recognise how important it is to protect the planet?
And is it because we can't physically see the catastrophe that lies ahead that political leaders are repeatedly failing to secure a global deal to tackle climate change?
I'd rather not recall the horror of watching the Copenhagen climate negotiations slide into freefall, culminating in a weak political agreement last December. But six months on ironically, as World Environment Day approaches - watching the oil slick nightmare brings it all back
Many articles have been written about why the summit failed; this is not another of them. But we do have to ask: Where next, if we're to tackle climate change?
The U.N. is holding talks again this year, but with much less momentum. Does this mean we should abandon attempts to deliver a climate deal?
The answer is no, mainly because the alternatives are unthinkable.
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ACTION NEEDED
Many argue that the international process has failed and that we should now put all our efforts into getting domestic action to reduce emissions. Up to a point I agree.
We need to focus on actions to reduce emissions on the ground, regardless of the progress of the international process. Without domestic action to cut emissions, a treaty will remain just a piece of paper.
In fact, many parts of the business world are way ahead of where governments were in Copenhagen. Despite the efforts of fossil fuel industries to stop it, a clean energy technology revolution is underway.
We must prioritise renewables, energy efficiency and new green technology. But it is not a question of domestic or international - each can help drive the other.
We still need international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive forward investment in clean energy and green jobs.
The economic downturn has reduced the costs of the European Union achieving 30 percent emission cuts, which would put it well on the way to achieving the 40 percent cuts in emissions by 2020 (from 1990 levels) needed from developed countries. So there is really no excuse for European leaders not to agree to this.
Aid agencies like Tearfund have seen how climate change exacerbates existing development problems. However difficult it is to raise the massive amounts of additional finance needed for adaptation and clean development in developing countries, particularly at a time when the coffers are empty, this is the challenge that lies ahead.
INNOVATIVE FUNDRAISING
There are opportunities. Innovative mechanisms like the Robin Hood tax on banks and a levy on international aviation and shipping could provide new finance without diverting existing resources from strained government budgets.
But without a global climate deal under the U.N., the resulting financing is likely to be weak, piecemeal and biased towards favored-nation 'donor darlings'.
Millions of people in the developing world will fall between the gaps, losing livelihoods and even their lives if we don't take action.
Coastal communities along the Gulf who depend on fishing to earn a living understand the meaning of urgency. So do communities in poor countries, for different but similar reasons - they both rely on natural resources to feed their families.
I have observed the outrage leveled at the U.S. government over the oil slick. But few seem to care about the slow-onset climate crisis that will have an even worse impact if urgent action is not taken.
The new U.K. coalition government has taken some positive steps on domestic climate issues. It must also show leadership internationally.
Climate change will not go away. So, as impossible as it may seem to rebuild the political conditions to achieve a global deal, the fact still remains - time is running out and there is no plan B.
Esther Williams is an environmental press officer for aid agency Tearfund.
