Far from this being a time for the environment to take a back seat as some EU countries have suggested recently, the worst financial crisis since the great depression is not only the best catalyst to create a new system of low- carbon growth but environmental prioritisation may be the only way we can fortify our economy in the long-term.

The British government has already resurrected the Keynesian model and now all it needs to do, as it has done in creating Ed Miliband’s new department, is wisely direct spending towards ushering in an economy that will ensure environmental security, and in this way reduce the chances of a future recession. It might be an unregulated free-market system that has failed us in the short-term, but it is unsustainable capitalism that will fail us in the long-term, especially when economies threaten to collapse on the frail or non-existent foundations we have built them on. In reality, we have a heavy debt to the earth that we’ll never be able to repay. The least we can do is stop borrowing.

We are yet to see the full extent of the knock-on effects of this crisis, but at least we’ve learnt that we don’t have to stupidly spend our hard earned salaries on things we don’t need. Many new opportunities and sectors can be created on the relics of old, redundant ones; we can have all the innovation, growth and prosperity one could desire while stopping runaway climate change at the same time: and who said you couldn’t keep your bonus? For things to get better, much better, it seems they have to have gotten this much worse first. Maybe we needed this kick up the backside.