I am retired from all my official roles, but I am still very active. I have close relationships at the U.N. I don't have any role at the U.N, but I'm still quite cooperative with a number of U.N. activities, in particular to China and that region.

The combination of population growth and the growth in consumption is a danger that we are not prepared for and something we will need global co-operation on.

Well they do have a use, but we should never believe that any international conference is going to suddenly solve problems like the condition of the global environment.

I learn something from criticism because when it comes from sources you respect you always examine it and learn.

Inertia is a powerful force in human and political affairs.

Don't accept that you can't make a difference. Because if you can't make a difference, you won't make a difference, and if you put a multiplier on that we will continue on an unsustainable pathway.

I've got used to criticisms and, naturally, I try to make sure I don't listen to the more extreme ones because most of the people who have taken their rightwing extremist view of my life are people that I've never met.