In an attempt to save face following an embarrassing show at the UN Climate Talks in Bali at which he stood with only the US and Japan in opposing the much-needed international consensus, John Baird, Canada's hapless Minister of the Environment, had this to say: "We came here to say things that a lot of people were thinking. There is a certain price of leadership, and I don't apologize for that.”
Leadership is not stubborn backwardness. It is also not the exclusive domain of superpowers like the US, Russia, China, and India or G8 nations like Canada. It is a brave clarion call like the one made by Kevin Conrad of little Papua New Guinea which turned the US and perhaps rescued the whole agreement:
And there's an old saying: "If you're not willing to lead then get out of the way." And I would ask the United States... We ask for your leadership. We seek your leadership. But if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way.