It's disappointing that Mahapan Group's latest commercial failed to grab more public attention, since it deals with the global warming that is hurting people all around the world.

The commercial is highly enjoyable. The scene opens with a meeting of representatives from various countries in a United Nations conference. While one speaker show his concern about global warming, which is melting Eskimo igloos near the North Pole, the representative from Thailand rises and says that the Kingdom has a solution. He holds up the new roofing tile of Mahapan Group, which absorbs only 30 per cent of sunlight. Thus the igloos are protected and the Eskimos live happily ever after.

Roofing tiles might not really be the right solution, but the commercial should have sparked public debate about global warming. Does this mean Thais are not concerned about such a vital issue, despite the freak floods and droughts that our citizens have suffered?

It is also interesting to note that there is little discussion at a national level about how Thailand could help reduce carbon-dioxide emissions - the main cause of climate change. But others have started to act.

The US state of Colorado, for example, has devised a clever way to protect land from overdevelopment. The government offers landowners a state income-tax credit in exchange for a conservation easement on their property. This maintains the private ownership of the property while permanently prohibiting certain types of development. The end effect is to cut down on carbon dioxide.

Tax deductions for conservation easements are not new. They have existed at the US federal level since 1976, and several states offer them. But Colorado is one of the most generous, remarkably so for a state not always known for caring for the environment. It offers an income-tax credit of 50 per cent of the fair market value of the easement to a maximum of US$375,000 (Bt13.3 million).

Remarkably, the law seems to have few enemies. Even conservatives like it.

Thailand has been notorious for inept land management. For many decades, its forests have been lost to encroachment. More and more land has been turned over to commercial use.

But if this government attempted to do anything to change this destructive behaviour, it would definitely meet strong opposition.

It is as certain as death and taxes that the government would not risk facing more opposition. It has already suffered from too much of it.

achara_d@nationgroup.com