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The golden rule in care of the environment is "think globally but act locally".

At the climate negotiations in Copenhagen, the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were on target in their admonishment of the larger countries for delaying action to curb greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Bermuda and the other SIDS are also correct that our overall contribution to greenhouse gases (GHG) is miniscule when compared to the larger countries, but we are self-deceiving if we believe this lets us off the hook.

However, the real work begins at home. Think about it. If any (or all) of the developed countries are going to reduce their GHG emissions as we are asking, they are going to have to do it citizen by citizen.

We act sometimes as though for these countries to reduce their fossil fuel consumption all they have to do is flick some switch and "voila" the problem is solved.

The reality is that citizens of those countries will have to individually reduce their consumption, whether by driving more fuel-efficient vehicles, or curbing wasteful practices, or cutting their consumption of energy and other carbon intensive products.

It is absurd to expect the individuals in other countries to curb their GHG production while we in Bermuda consume merrily along, increasing our per-capita output of GHGs in almost everything we do.

Our level of consumption is not sustainable.

If our government has truly caught religion for environmental issues, then I send kudos. I remain sceptical. I don't see much movement from the administration to back up their global thinking with local action. Sure they've started using the lingo, but words are no substitute for action.

For starters, Dr. Brown should follow through on the promise made pre-election 2007 to set emissions targets, and to have the Kyoto Protocol extended to Bermuda.

You may remember the big fanfare in announcing then that Bermuda would be signing on to the Kyoto Treaty, until he was reminded that Bermuda couldn't constitutionally sign on to an international treaty.

He then backtracked, promising to set local emissions standards and request that the U.K. government extend the Kyoto Protocol to include Bermuda.

In the intervening years, the government could have increased its environmental credibility by doing as Dr. Brown promised more than two years ago. That we have not done them weakens our position on the global stage.

As UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan put it: "Leadership comes with some obligations."

Alongside scolding the developed countries for their delays and inaction, Dr. Brown should be feeling obligated to put Bermuda on an environmentally sustainable path.

Here are just a few of the steps he could take. In Dr. Brown's own transport ministry:

* Reset the size and power limits on bikes, cars and trucks in Bermuda. Not only would that cut back on our GHG emissions, it could save lives;

* Require that all new cars brought in are the most 'green' available, focusing especially on hybrids and electric vehicles;

* Require that all new motorbikes brought in are 'green', again favouring electric bikes, which are not only energy-efficient but also quiet.

Throughout government:

* Reduce and 'green' government's entire fleet of vehicles;

* Set energy-efficiency standards for all government buildings - offices, schools and residences - including lighting, heating and cooling, waste reduction and recycling;

* Set targets for reduction of emissions of GHG island-wide through waste reduction, energy efficiency, and reduction of imported packaging especially bottled water.

Our leaders have a fundamental responsibility to act locally and vigorously reduce Bermuda's production of GHGs. Then their lectures to the global community will have more legitimacy and a better chance of being heard, and heeded.

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