One has to borrow the name of the popular quiz show when debating the possibility of a climate change deal being reached in Copenhagen.

Already, there have been leaks about three major issues which are likely to hinder the signing of a deal to reduce global carbon dioxide levels.

Campaigners say a draft text proposed by the Danish host government would disadvantage poorer nations while other blocs are expected to release their own texts in the next few days. But the real challenge will come when chairmen of working groups turn the various documents into a political document that 100-odd world leaders are comfortable with signing.

The documents leaked so far show that at the broadest level, developed and developing worlds are split on several points: the level of cuts from developed countries, the establishment of a target date by which global emissions should peak and begin to fall and perhaps, most importantly, the shape of any future deal.

The Danish text sets out a vision of greenhouse gas emissions peaking globally by 2020, and then beginning to recede. It also specifies a 50 per cent emissions cut globally (from 1990 levels) by 2050. Most industrialised nations have already pledged an 80 per cent cut in their own emissions, but given the current progress of things in general, this will not be easy to achieve. The Copenhagen Agreement proposes measures to keep average global temperature rises to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but developing countries have reacted angrily, alleging developed countries have worked behind closed doors to draft a document slanted in their favour.

UK premier Gordon Brown has also declared that he would favour the EU moving from its current 20 per cent target to 30 per cent, a measure which governments have agreed to take if there is a global deal.

Many will argue that all this was predictable. One can understand the ire of the poorer nations; let us put it into context. It is the industrial nations who have the highest emissions and, in terms of world trade, hold developing nations back.

When one then sees that developing nations will be restricted in their output, while the developed nations ‘strive’ to cut back on the emissions which are fuelling world demand, then one can understand their point.

But this is where Malta needs to act smart. Just like any other nation, like it or not, we are going to have to slash the level of pollution which we spew out into the atmosphere. But, being a small island nation, we have our limitations. Other island nations have similar problems and this is where they should band together to obtain a fair deal.

What is certain, however, is that there will be plenty of chest beating. But we must all realise this must be done. Many question climate change and ask whether it is all a myth. We are definitely not scientists and the real boffins are also divided in their opinions. But what we will say is that while some believe we are not be the direct cause of global warming (the earth's temperature does go through cycles over millennia), the amount of rubbish which we are pumping into the atmosphere is surely not helping things along.

If we want to pass this world, as we know it, onto our children, then we must act now. Temperatures are rising, desertification is taking place and glaciers are melting. Again, we are not experts, but if our planet is to start shrivelling and slowly dying, the least we can do is go down fighting.