Quiet on climate disruption since Paris talks
Posted: January 6, 2016 Filed under: Letters | Tags: Carbon dioxide, climate disruption, climate talks, climate targets, corporate global economy, David Attenborough, Democrats, economy, environment, New Zealand, New Zealand government, Paris, politics, USA Leave a commentThe Editor, The Wellingtonian, Wellington
04 January, 2016
Dear Editor:
Sir David Attenborough was recently quoted as saying we were going to have to work ‘very hard’ to stave off the worst effects of climate change. So what has happened since the December climate talks in Paris? Quiet.
You would expect the National government here to nurture their somnambulist popularity by ignoring the subject. But even the candidate debates among the Democrats in the USA have failed to mention climate change since Paris. What does this mean? A break during the holidays? But the joyous inspiration of the season should be a catalyst for all citizens to finally get politically stuck in demanding development of a real program of action by our representatives.
We should not be complacent. The Paris talks only agreed on “targets”. Such softness in the face of the immense challenge of climate change may be a sign that big business and governments will see an opportunity to ignore the hard work ahead. Is that what citizens want as well?
Sincerely,
Richard Keller
published 14 Jan 2016
