IT struck me as somewhat odd that the United Nations General Assembly chose this time to declare the access to a clean and healthy environment a universal human right. Odd because the UN appears impotent in the face of Putin's ongoing military attack on Ukraine. The war has caused massive destruction to civilian infrastructure including homes, about 12 million people have been displaced, thousands have been killed, and the disruptions in international trade in fuel, fertilizer, grains and other foodstuffs have caused inflation to soar across the globe.

OK, the UN and the government of Turkey were able to broker a deal that allows Ukrainian cargo ships carrying wheat, corn and other vital commodities to finally leave the Black Sea. But will this suffice to prevent famine?