This quote by naturalist and documentary maker David Attenborough sums up where the climate debate should be. 

But whether or not you believe in man-made global warming, it shouldn’t prevent us from doing something.

If there is no question climate change is happening, then do something. Who cares who caused it? The real issue here is how to fix it. 

Why are we so busy saying “it is not our fault” we forget there are major changes going on?

One way or the other we – as a society, as a global community – will have to do something eventually. 

We can do it now, or we can wait. It is up to us. 

We don’t have to be the stereotypical greenie to hope action is taken soon and that was the message taken away at the weekend all around the world. 

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon has been quoted as saying, “Climate change is the defining issue of our time. The longer we delay our action, the more we will have to pay.”

There is nothing to lose. You may say money, but the longer we wait, the more we will pay. 

Why not be a world leader if we will have act eventually? If we do not take action we are set to lose more than we could gain.

A major issue would be bringing the rest of the world with us.

The world needs a leader on this issue and who is to say Australia can’t be that leader? 

When there is so much conflict, displacement, poverty and starvation in other nations, it is no wonder climate change is low on other nation's priority lists.

But just because they can’t deal with it right now, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t get started.

Send your correspondence to lydia.roberts@fairfaxmedia.com.au or The Armidale Express, PO Box 70, Armidale, NSW, 2350 .