Forum Topic

COP26 Glasgow

In case you missed it - this morning's interview by Andrew Marr of Tina Stege  Marshall Islands Envoy for Climate Change:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0b1d89v

Philippa Bond ● 1819d32 Comments

Just a pointless beano...There's Greta waxing lyrical and the holier than thou XR and Insulate Britain lot causing so much inconvenience to the average bod in the street, whereas some of the biggest global polluters (China, who aren't even at COP26) and India (Modi's laughable, too late promises) continue along their merry way.As always the average bod suffers whilst those at the top continue unchallenged.

Adam Beamish ● 1819d

400 private jets flying in.https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/private-jets-flying-cop26-blast-25338840

Russell Pearson ● 1819d

With adults so desperately looking for excuses not to act, not to alter any routines, not to change any habits, pretending not to see and hear what is going on, and with politicians not wanting to ruffle any feathers or lose any votes; it's no wonder that there are so many youth activists!

Philippa Bond ● 1819d

https://inews.co.uk/news/cop26-glasgow-train-chaos-uk-rail-system-needs-overhaul-stranded-attendees-climate-summit-1277994I heard no mention of leaves on the line but there were trees and floods and bridges washed away so it was not quite as hypocritical as some might want to believe.

Philippa Bond ● 1819d

Then there’s our royalshttps://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/royal-family-flights-private-jet-b1827279.html

Russell Pearson ● 1819d

There's one youth activist, Greta.  Many youths might say "oh she's cool" or whatever the modern saying is, as they stuff down their McDonalds before going home to tell their parents how they must have the latest Iphone because last year's model is totally uncool...I'm all for reducing waste, reducing the over-reliance on the private car and so forth.  I also hold controversial views on what I see as over-population and would like to see the powers that be 'tax the hell' out of large families in order to slow the rate at which humans get through the limited resources available to the world.But you or I doing our bit isn't going to make a slightest bit of difference unless the global superpowers who continue to over-rely on fossil fuels pull their weight.  That's what I have the problem with and why I have no time for the likes of XR and Insulate Britain, all they achieve is causing lots of inconvenience for the average bod who is in all likelihood in agreement with their basic purpose, but their actions, rather than getting people on-side, are more likely to turn people against them.As I've say before Philippa I'm far more cynical than you, I don't live in a world where I have confidence or faith in my fellow humans, my eyes are open to the reality, to me these people who have this optimism that the world can save itself and become this 'better' place live in cloud-cuckoo land.

Adam Beamish ● 1818d

Bang on Adam. As for politicians not wanting to ruffle feathers.  They do what they please. In this country they’re  currently ruffling the feathers of the majority of the population with one money making scam or another, in the name of reducing pollution etc. Whilst doing exactly what they like, such as flying to a climate crisis conference. Hypocrites of the highest order

Maggie Dodge ● 1818d

"Whilst doing exactly what they like, such as flying to a climate crisis conference."99.99% of delegates would rather the conference was somewhere warm and sunny....Glasgow in November was never going to be that.COP27 location has not yet been announced, what do you bet it isn't Islamabad? or Kabul,  or Lagos?

James Roy ● 1818d

Adam I just don't agree with you.  Yes, it would be better if all the superpowers were there but they nearly all are and that makes anybody who isn't more noticeable in their lack of participation. I don't believe the answer is not to meet and not to discuss. There are people there from countries all over the world - many of which are already suffering the effects of climate change a lot more than we are.  Have you got your feet wet yet?

Philippa Bond ● 1818d

Had another look, and it seems to be Sharm el Sheikh.Current temperature 30 C.Now THAT's more like it for a subsidised jolly for the great and good.And, Boris, if spared, can pack his swimming trunks.However Greta Tintin Thunberg is going to find it difficult to get there by train, but probably there will be a ferry/bus service.  Or she can get a mate to take her by yacht, as previously.The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai, except the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.

James Roy ● 1818d

https://www.wired.com/story/why-not-turn-airports-into-giant-solar-farms/A great idea for airports Sir Norman!

Philippa Bond ● 1818d

But it's about action Philippa, and actions that make a significant difference.  Just the 43 new coal power stations announced in China in the first half of 2021, whereas in the UK we've have ceased our remaining 2 coal power stations in 2024 (one of which I can currently see out the window 8 miles away).You and I do our bit but it's like trying to trying to use a twig to stop a raging river whilst China (and others) stand back laughing at us drowning.And if people really weren't that self-centred and really did care about the environment that much you wouldn't have the reaction that you do on forums like this to reduce the reliance on the private car in major cities like London.  How I used to chuckle walking home along Wellesley Road at the long queue of cars (90% of which were sole occupancy), and if you can't get people out of their metal boxes then what hope can you have for the world ?.

Adam Beamish ● 1818d

Bojo grandstanding.Prepare yourself for more pollution punishment taxes/fines etc. on the back of it.

Keith Iddon ● 1818d

Oh Adam, sole occupancy, metal box. You can do better than that! So we all need to find someone else to take with us when we go out? My husband is a tradesman works on his own. I drive 10 miles to babysit while he’s working. No option but to go solo! Endless reasons for driving our metal boxes and sole occupancy. You need something new, they’re tired and unfair

Maggie Dodge ● 1818d

They don’t seem to inspire by their actions. ‘COP26: Onlookers transfixed by Biden's 21-strong motorcade’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59138273

Russell Pearson ● 1818d

So many hypocrites telling us what to do. All the closet drivers pretending they’re better than the rest of us. They’re really not.

Maggie Dodge ● 1818d

Indeed. Moral grandstanding, flatulent postering, and spouting grandiloquent hot air is not working. We see a lot on here too.Meanwhile it all gets hotter.

Russell Pearson ● 1818d

Prince Charles gets my award for climate hypocrite of the year, flying everywhere by helicopter. Worse even than a private jet.Since he's not a politician, he didn't even have to go to Glasgow.And then he preaches like he's god.Just imagine what an example he'd make if he gave up flying. Might start a trend. Might actually save his legacy.

Simon Pedley ● 1818d

For me, chief hypocrite has to be Jeff Bezos,a man who has built a business on selling goods that have to come half way around the world by fossil fuelled transport, who has flown everywhere including to Glasgow this week by private jet, and to cap it all has flown into space to see what it looks like.He is now trying to make Mr&Mrs Bloggs and family feel guilty for having the audacity and lack of concern for the planet for having two weeks in Benidorm via Easyjet.

Keith Iddon ● 1818d

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/10/cop26-train-to-climate-change-summit-is-triple-the-price-of-flying/Craziness.

Philippa Bond ● 1818d

"Closet drivers"  Quite a picture.

Philippa Bond ● 1818d

Did you like that Philippa😂I’m referring to one particular local hypocrite. I’m sure there are many 👍

Maggie Dodge ● 1818d

I suspect that if it was the reverse, there would be ‘name and shame’ YouTube videos of ‘closet drivers’. To be avoided at all costs. All ends up very sad.

Russell Pearson ● 1818d

Given  we are on day 2,ive lost interest and dont need any more preaching that its all coming to a end. Its had the reverse effect on me. Personally,we will all be back at COP27 with the same talk as when all these leaders get back home it will all be back to normal

Julian Pavey ● 1818d

So many of our young are in awe of Swedish Greta Thunberg, full of her own self worth and lately, resorting to bad language.I would rather hear Sleepy Joe, or Dreary Charles and certainly Sir David Attenborough.But not in every newspaper and newsreal, every day, for two weeks.

Denis I. Fox ● 1818d

The likes of China, India, Russia and the USA need a few disasters on their soil such as tsunamis, forest fires, floods, massive coastal land erosion, extremes of weather focused all over their territories and such to get these bloviating superior nations taking the issue more seriously.

Bobbie Carnegie ● 1818d

I don't know how many diplomats, advisors,aides,general staff and hangers on will be in the 120 or so parties in Glasgow.I would estimate at least 30-40 per party,all but a few from overseas and all converging in one place.They will then go home to 120 different places.If there is a better way of spreading a pandemic,I am a monkey's uncle.

Keith Iddon ● 1817d

Good point. I think. I’ve been focusing on their hypocrisy. I doubt anyone attending COP26 worries about their own carbon footprint. Even Greta, from what I hear, something about her boat.  I’d completely forgotten about Covid, as have they it appears. Next thing you know they’ll be preaching to us about climate change and face coverings again. I’m done. I’ll live my life as I choose until they set a better example and stop fleecing motorists

Maggie Dodge ● 1817d

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/30/capitalism-is-killing-the-planet-its-time-to-stop-buying-into-our-own-destruction

Philippa Bond ● 1817d

You could legitimately argue that capitalism is what has made the vast majority of us better off, some a lot more than others,granted, but free from most of the degredation, poverty, disease and hunger that have blighted mankind over the years.Some people often state we should get rid of this, that and the other but when pressed as to what will replace them, the answer is 'with something better'or something as meaningless and vague.Better the devil you know perhaps.

Keith Iddon ● 1816d

Very deep and meaningfulKeith 👍

Maggie Dodge ● 1816d

Yes 👍

Janice Evans ● 1816d