Politicians are not the big wigs they used to be. Glen Pearson writes:
For those eager to watch the regular gatherings among leaders of the most powerful democratic nations, this week’s gathering in Glasgow, Scotland carried with it a certain sense of desperation. You could feel it as the luminaries flitted about in their attempt to show the kind of global solidarity it will take if climate change is to be effectively countered. Yet, despite the hopeful language expressed by celebrities, activists and political leaders, they couldn’t pull it off.
This decline of prestige and persuasion has left global democratic leaders with less influence just when global challenges are at their greatest than they have been in a generation. The aforementioned divisive populism, coupled with the rise of antisemitism and racial violence, employment problems, inflation and significant debts, are as vital a challenge as governments can face, and that without the presence of a global pandemic seemingly in the process of changing so many critical aspects of modern society.
Yesterday was a troubling example of how the prominent economic leaders had to endure a stream of history lessons on how they had failed in their wish to be global influencers. “This is far from the truth,” claimed Bolivia’s President Arce when the power leaders claimed to be climate change leaders. He then took it further, saying that the rich countries had forsaken their historical responsibilities and should now make up for lost time.
The Barbados president asked bluntly, “Are we so blinded and hardened that we can no longer appreciate the cries of humanity?” He then added, “Are you going to allow the path of greed and selfishness to sow the seeds of our common destruction.” Trudeau, Biden, Johnson, Marcon and others were left squirming in [their] seats.
So, if we can't rely on the big wigs, what comes next? Francis Fukuyama did not offer us much hope:
“We take great pride in a constitution that limits executive power through a series of checks and balances. But those checks and balances have now metastasized. When this political system is combined with ideological parties, the result is paralysis. If we are to get out of our present paralysis, we need strong leadership.”
Our only hope rests in building strong alliances. Pearson concludes that:
It would be foolish to think they aren’t sincere concerning climate change, but it will be the power of collaboration and sacrifice that could reverse our direction, not merely promises to do so.
Is that possible? We shall see.
Image: Daily Sabah
10 comments:
I don't agree that "It would be foolish to think they aren’t sincere concerning climate change." The evidence to date shows a profound lack of sincerity in their concern. Their concern doesn't extend much beyond safeguarding oil industry profits.
Cap
The evidence is damning, Cap. And, for that reason, I'm increasingly cynical. Yet I keep hoping, with Tennyson's Ulysses, that it's not too late to seek a newer world.
We not only need strong leaders, we need them to understand the problem and focus on remedial action. We need Churchills and Roosevelts prepared and willing to do what is needed. Instead we have hacks unable to meet the need.
We have done better, Toby. Churchill and Roosevelt put us to shame.
Through all off this (Glasgow) "stuff' (that is all it can be called), not once have I heard two words, "over population". How can some religions and poorer countries continue producing children only to die in infancy, or live in abject poverty. Why are some religions still having eight or more children? Like the "Mound" has mentioned today, "everyone one wants their raspberries in January". I am so tired of middle aged old minded fogies. I'd like to have a few years before I pass, knowing that my life meant something, instead of being looked upon as something that doesn't matter. I'm tired of hearing the same old as Thunberg said, "blah, blah, blah, blah. COP26 has been an occasion to show off...the US jet, Monaco jet, the Saudi Royal jet and all those jets that had to drop off in Glasgow and moor in Prestwick. The parties would probably pay for a few vaccinations in Africa no doubt. Anyong
Greta speaks for the angry next generation, Anyong.
There is a consensus emerging that trying to avert climate catastrophe with promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions is a fool's game. As Lovelock wrote this week, we need holistic measures to address the greater issues. We must rebalance mankind's burden on nature. It's time for sustainable retreat.
Andrew Nikiforuk wrote that we have to go back to the 70s. That would mean arresting growth in the global population and treating this as a population emergency. We need to get back to something below 3 billion and soon. If we don't do that on our terms through reproductive management, nature will do it its own way.
Monbiot wrote that we have to reject neoliberal capitalism with its pursuit of perpetual exponential growth. Our biosphere simply can't support that burden and the signs are everywhere from ocean acidification to soils degradation and food insecurity to the freshwater crisis, the worsening loss of biodiversity and more. This is happening now and we're losing control of these threats. Yet even Mr. Trudeau relentlessly pursues constant growth.
The quest for Net Zero cannot become a distraction that blinds us to the other grave dangers. If you have four guys holding guns to your head, disarming one of them is not a solution.
It's increasingly evident that our crises are interconnected, Mound. But we refuse to recognize that inter-connection.
2:06 I have spoken about climate change since 1972 and population for almost as long. Let’s face it , Religion has not ever recognized the problems it has let slide, the greed, the unsustainability of the earth it allows its people to Peruse. It does nothing to really look at nor, do anything about the poor which does not have to exist in this country or anywhere in the world including Italy. All it does is use bandaids. As far as I am concerned the Pope pays “lip service” to the Roman masses as does any other religion. And I darn well know, most of those politicians attending COP26 are not listening to Greta.
Antong
They may not be listening, Anyong. But Greta and her generation are mad as hell.
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