THE CARBON WAR

The absurd thing is we know exactly what needs to be done 295
One thing that is new about this summit is the amount of survey material
that is instantly available on media coverage around the world. An hour scanning
e-mail bulletins each morning can give a delegate a clear cross section
of coverage and comment not just in his or her own country, but in many
countries. This morning, scanning these surveys, I note there is a remarkably
optimistic tone to the majority of coverage, in most countries, even India and
China. The US and Chinese governments are earning particular plaudits for
the games they have played so far.
The conservative press in America is a notable exception. A Wall Street
Journal editorial assures American business that nothing significant will emerge
in Paris. “The politicians want a deal so badly that they’ll accept anything that
can pass as one, but it won’t amount to much,” the Murdoch-owned paper
opines. They are talking about my “No Signal” scenario.
And just in case anything does emerge, Republicans in Congressmen are
planning to vote through legislation aiming to unravel President Obama’s ability
to enact policies consistent with text agreed in Paris. The President will veto it,
of course, but the distasteful flat-earth political posturing of the Republican
Party rages on, and it cannot help the American delegation here in Paris for
the world to see what awaits if the they are elected.
Obama remains unflustered. “I’m anticipating a Democrat succeeding me”,
he says. “I’m confident in the wisdom of the American people on that front.”
The Conservative press in the UK offers an interesting contrast. “We are
going to move to a lower-carbon future whether it is needed or not”, Telegraph
columnist Philip Johnston opines, based on his reading of events in Paris. “The
direction of travel is clear and irreversible.”
Day Three, Wednesday 2 nd December: My first event speaking for Carbon Tracker.
We have a team of six at the summit. Anthony Hobley and Mark Campanale are
doing most of the speaking engagements. I am filling in for them as required.
This morning, I am on a platform organised by 350.org in the Climate Generations
area, talking divestment.
Bill McKibben opens. More than 500 institutions with assets worth $3.4
trillion have now pledged to divest from fossil fuels, he announces. That’s up
from 400 commitments worth $2.6 trillion just 10 short weeks ago.
Astonishing, I think to myself. This is a snowball rolling downhill, picking
up ever more snow and rolling ever faster. Might it evolve into an avalanche?