| In the world of environmental lobbying there's one | | | | them would make more than that in interest in |
| country's leader the activists know they don't | | | | one of their Monaco bank accounts by journey |
| need to persuade that their cause is right - Prince | | | | end. |
| Albert of Monaco. | | | | Recently though global warming and rising tea |
| From the day he took office two years ago he | | | | temperatures aren't playing to quite the script |
| immediately made his mark by signing Monaco up | | | | that Prince Albert might have expected, according |
| for the Kyoto protocol, and since then has | | | | to recently released figures. |
| regularly taken his own initiatives and publicised | | | | Rising sea temperatures is seen as a major |
| others to further the green agenda. | | | | contributor to the ice caps melting, and is seen as |
| Speaking at the Ritz Hotel in London recently, | | | | a controversial part of the green campaign on |
| Prince Albert told assembled reporters about his | | | | climate change as some scientists argue that sea |
| own environment foundation which he launched | | | | temperatures would take hundreds of years to |
| after a visit to the Arctic to study the impact of | | | | rise as a direct result of human activity. Quite |
| global warming and rising sea levels. | | | | what Prince Albert will make of the findings on his |
| But while he might be able to persuade the great | | | | own doorstep isn't known yet. |
| and the good to help with his foundation, will he | | | | The Mediterranean waters off Monaco caused |
| be able to persuade millionaires to get on a bus | | | | concern four years ago in 2003 when the water |
| and leave their Aston Marion or Ferrari at home? | | | | temperature reached 28 degrees centigrade - 82 |
| Monaco reduced the cost of a bus ride down to | | | | degrees farenheit - but this year saw |
| one Euro in April 2007, and the number of people | | | | temperatures cool considerably to 23 centigrade in |
| taking the bus has risen, but the percentage | | | | July and 24 in August. Two other warm years |
| figure could be in single figures - a move in the | | | | apart from 2003 were 2001 and 2006. |
| right direction but not enough to significantly | | | | Commenting on the findings, a local Monaco travel |
| reduce Monaco's carbon footprint in itself. | | | | guide states 'There doesn't appear to be a |
| Prince Albert is reported as saying that he would | | | | consistent rise over the years in the water |
| consider introoducing a congestion charge to | | | | temperatures, and they vary year by year, |
| Monaco, much like that of London. Considering the | | | | sometimes rising, sometimes falling - which would |
| size of Monaco at around a square mile and the | | | | appear fairly natural rather than anything that |
| number of people who work in Monaco but | | | | could be seen as particularly alarming with a need |
| commute in it could be a good revenue earner | | | | for action. Should temperatures rise consistently |
| for the tax haven, as well as potentially reducing | | | | for a few years in succession perhaps that would |
| the overall impact on the environment the | | | | indicate something really is going on in the |
| Principality has. | | | | Mediterranean around Monaco.' |
| And the good news for Monaco's millionaires is | | | | Whether a traffic cop in Monaco will see it that |
| that if they were going to be charged 10 Euros a | | | | way for anyone trying to avoid a congestion |
| day for using their car before 10am some of | | | | charge is another matter! |