Many reading this article will recall the smog that enveloped Beijing earlier this year.

Although recognized as an extraordinary weather event, this was also understood as a big warning sign of risks that lie ahead should we maintain the status quo.

The pace of action that followed, and in many cases preceded, the event is truly astounding. China's planned environmental expenditure of $275 billion dwarfs the entire national budgets of some countries, and its rapid progress in renewable energy -mainly wind and solar - puts others to shame.