There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.

-Nicolo MachiavelliThe Prince (1532)

Since this column bears my name you may assume what you read in this space is indeed my thinking. Although, given that I am, as the French would say, “a gentleman of a certain generation”, you should allow some opinions previously expressed to have been revised.

After being mainly ignored during the election period, climate change will again be under the spotlight as the Doha Climate Change Conference, hosted by the UN, will be taking place from November 26 to December 7th.

The conference is meant to progress international goals on climate change. However, environmental issues can be addressed domestically and locally too; the use of plastic bags is a place to start.

Every year, the US uses 280 billions plastic bags, enough to stretch around Earth 29,000 times.

The race for California's 50th Assembly District is still too close to call, but the underdog candidate is holding on to an 800 vote lead.&

The race for California's 50th Assembly District is still too close to call, but the underdog candidate is holding on to an 800 vote lead.&