Dr. Erlin van Genuchten, a shift to local production in some areas can enrich our lives, but a general change away from trade at all levels would be enormously costly and decrease our choices in the marketplace. It would generally not assist the transition to green economies.

Globalization has been under attack recently. America and the UK are both moving along a path of nationalism and protectionism, leaving their populations less wealthy and less secure (witness what Brexit has done). People in developing nations will also suffer because they are restrained from using their competitive advantages. They will become poorer.

The best position for the world to address climate change is from prosperity and NOT impoverishment. With the latter, only some will be in the mood to attend to issues outside their immediate circumstances.

Many thanks.