The worlds political leaders, barring two main players, China and Russia, could complement themselves on having made real “progress” on climate change. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said; “we’ve made a difference, we hope, for our planet and our people, we’ve moved the ball a long way down the pitch.” While former Irish President, Mary Robinson stated, “the problem is the window is closing, we are running out of time,” an understatement if ever I’ve heard one. Nick Mabey, Chief Executive of E3G (Third Generation Environmentalism), said “we have come a lot further than other conferences” and “it is all about money, how much is on the table.”
And perhaps this last statement was the most relevant. All measures are voluntary! In other words, the capitalist class cannot, and no doubt will not, be forced into implementing these measures if it means them losing money or, perhaps nearer the mark, not making as much profit. It is the large corporations (and their predecessors), and their mode of production, which have created the acceleration in climatic changes dating right back to the Industrial Revolution. Karl Marx argued against the continued rate of industrialisation back in the mid-19th century at the height of industrialisation and its effect on our planet long term. Marx also stated, albeit in a different context, “capitalism will dig its own grave.” An understatement - at this rate capitalism will dig all our graves if it is allowed to continue. It is capitalists in pursuit of even greater profits who dump obnoxious waste wherever they please, knowing they are almost untouchable! Perhaps the only person to make any sense at all was the teenage Swedish climate change activist, Greta Thunberg, who described what was said at COP 26 as “blah, blah, blah”. Very true Greta.
Irelands representative, Eamon Ryan, having been tested positive for Covid-19 then, after a second test which was negative flew over to Glasgow like a bat out of hell to ingratiate himself with the likes of US President Joe (I’d like to be Irish) Biden and other political leaders who he perceived as holding power, when real power lies with the capitalist class through groups like the Bilderberg Group. Surely Ryan, in his quest to be well in with the “big boys” should have at least taken a third test to ascertain whether he had Covid-19 before making the journey - that should have been a minimal requirement. A case of a rule for the politicians and another for the rest of us. To me if he had one test positive and one negative there was/is still a 50/50 chance he has or is carrying the disease. The advice of NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) is taken, it appears, when it suits. Inconsistent is an understatement which appears not to matter when it comes to the 26 County Government wanting to be friends with the criminal class, or their representatives!
In Dublin the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) have said regarding a third runway at Dublin Airport, meaning an increase in air travel, “if they had to stick to former agreements, it would be dysfunctional” - in other words non-profitable. Hardly conducive with what COP26 were arguing, or claiming to. “Blah, Blah, Blah” sounds about right. What was said at the conference and what plans are put into action are totally contradictory and make a mockery of COP, or was it in real terms a free piss up paid for by various taxpayers around the globe?
Irelands representative, Eamon Ryan, having been tested positive for Covid-19 then, after a second test which was negative flew over to Glasgow like a bat out of hell to ingratiate himself with the likes of US President Joe (I’d like to be Irish) Biden and other political leaders who he perceived as holding power, when real power lies with the capitalist class through groups like the Bilderberg Group. Surely Ryan, in his quest to be well in with the “big boys” should have at least taken a third test to ascertain whether he had Covid-19 before making the journey - that should have been a minimal requirement. A case of a rule for the politicians and another for the rest of us. To me if he had one test positive and one negative there was/is still a 50/50 chance he has or is carrying the disease. The advice of NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) is taken, it appears, when it suits. Inconsistent is an understatement which appears not to matter when it comes to the 26 County Government wanting to be friends with the criminal class, or their representatives!
In Dublin the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) have said regarding a third runway at Dublin Airport, meaning an increase in air travel, “if they had to stick to former agreements, it would be dysfunctional” - in other words non-profitable. Hardly conducive with what COP26 were arguing, or claiming to. “Blah, Blah, Blah” sounds about right. What was said at the conference and what plans are put into action are totally contradictory and make a mockery of COP, or was it in real terms a free piss up paid for by various taxpayers around the globe?
Transnational Corporations (TNCs) are huge conglomerates which operate out of one country, often though not exclusively the United States, in another country, often termed the host country. Their main offices and administration remain in the sending country but many operations, where the profits are made, operate in a host country. These companies often have a larger economy than the government of the host country and, therefore, in the event of a disaster which damages the flora and fauna, to say nothing of human life, in that country the host government appears powerless. Union Carbide India had such a disaster in 1984, Bhopal, India at its pesticides plant. Much wildlife suffered as did the local population but as the company were larger than the Indian Government little could be done for the locals. This was another example of a TNC committing environmental damage and paying very little if anything in costs. These companies rent and wages are factored into the GDP (Gross Domestic Produce) of the host country but the profits amassed are factored into the GNP (Gross National Produce) of the sending country. Profits are the largest single component part of national income statistics using the barometer of rent, wages, profits, though wages could be, depending on the country, be the largest collective component factor. Nevertheless, it is the sending country who benefits from the labour power of the host country, while that land suffers any environmental damage these plants may cause.
While all these political leaders were giving it “blah, blah, blah” at the COP 26, people like Elon Reeve Musk, the founder and CEO of Space Exploration Technologies (Space X) are planning weekly passenger lift-offs into space. Each time one of these crafts lift off it is the equivalent of 28 Jumbo jets taking off simultaneously and it is the environment which suffers, hardly conducive to protecting the climate. Musk was planning a huge mobile telephone mast and plant in County Kerry and was/is encouraged by the Green Party, including Eamon Ryan, who are in government. It appears their environmental credentials are not what they would have us believe! Musk has also prophesised in the future, “colonising of the planet Mars” which strongly suggests he and others are seeking somewhere else to live for the international bourgeoisie, or the wealthiest sections of them leaving the rest of us behind to live in the mess they have collectively helped create! Recently the United Arab Emirates joined the ever-increasing space club with the help of Japan. Where is all this going? Not a mention of it at the COP26, which appears with a little examination to have been a waste of time and money. If this is as Nick Mabey stated “has come a lot further than other conferences” it must tell us a lot about the said other conferences.
At the COP a target was set of keeping global warming down to 1.5 degrees by 2030. This target will not be reached, as even the activities of Elon Musk alone will make it difficult to achieve. Couple his actions with the European Space Agencies, the Russian Space Agency, and now the UAE and other Asian countries currrently involved in space exploration and the target is impossible. Even if some leaders were genuine - and I’m sure that some of them were, particularly those from countries under immediate threat from global warming - how indeed are they going to stop the proper world government when they, the capitalist class whose actions not only in space exploration but other activities in pursuit of profit on earth, are continuing relentlessly. For example, despite much fancy talk, deforestation (cutting away at the planet's lungs) is continuing even as they spoke at the COP. How are governments going to stop these activities without interfering with private enterprise? After all the neo-liberal agenda, globally, is committed to private enterprise (which is a name derived from legalised piracy on the high seas, Privateers) a very fitting name. The answer is they cannot stop the international bourgeoisie without taking over the industries themselves, something the present owners of the TNCs would resist and probably win. As the icecaps continue to melt at an alarming level, and even if 1.5 degrees is reached it will undoubtedly be too little too late.
As, in theory, we come out of Covid-19, and various lockdowns are lifted and air travel recommences once again, greenhouse gasses and carbon emissions are going to rise. If anything comparatively positive came out of the Covid-19 crisis it is proof that anything which may help save the planet must include a huge reduction in air travel, until such time as it can be electrified, and a reduction in motor cars on our roads. They will harp on about money, but has the penny not dropped? No planet = no money and certainly no profit quite simple really. The truth is none of the great and the good (who are neither) deep down believe it will happen, but after all they hope to have found somewhere else to live by then it appears! I firmly believe, if things do not radically alter in one hundred years from now earth will be no more. It can be stopped but a fanciful aim at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, without affecting profits and the needs of the greedy few will not work. Yes, Greta Thunberg was correct to describe the COP 26 as “blah, blah, blah”. Just hot air by the bigger countries and genuine wishful thinking by the poorer lands, the ones least responsible for any of this mess in the first place who will suffer first.
So, what next? Various governments around the world were worried about the school students, from Paris to New York to London and Dublin taking to the streets in protest at what the so-called grown ups are doing. Now, which in this respect, they have Covid-19 in their armoury, no need for police just shout, Covid and everybody will scatter. Call this cynical, and maybe it is (I am not a Covid-19 doubter) but I am aware of how it can be used to prevent any protest these governments find threatening. Greta Thunberg did a great job in mobilising the younger generation, as it will be they whose lives will be affected the most. She terrified governments, not through threats but stating facts. Don’t give up the struggle Greta (and an aging David Attenborough) because if people in power do not start listening - and I refer to the so-called Captains of Industry - this planet is a goner.
While all these political leaders were giving it “blah, blah, blah” at the COP 26, people like Elon Reeve Musk, the founder and CEO of Space Exploration Technologies (Space X) are planning weekly passenger lift-offs into space. Each time one of these crafts lift off it is the equivalent of 28 Jumbo jets taking off simultaneously and it is the environment which suffers, hardly conducive to protecting the climate. Musk was planning a huge mobile telephone mast and plant in County Kerry and was/is encouraged by the Green Party, including Eamon Ryan, who are in government. It appears their environmental credentials are not what they would have us believe! Musk has also prophesised in the future, “colonising of the planet Mars” which strongly suggests he and others are seeking somewhere else to live for the international bourgeoisie, or the wealthiest sections of them leaving the rest of us behind to live in the mess they have collectively helped create! Recently the United Arab Emirates joined the ever-increasing space club with the help of Japan. Where is all this going? Not a mention of it at the COP26, which appears with a little examination to have been a waste of time and money. If this is as Nick Mabey stated “has come a lot further than other conferences” it must tell us a lot about the said other conferences.
At the COP a target was set of keeping global warming down to 1.5 degrees by 2030. This target will not be reached, as even the activities of Elon Musk alone will make it difficult to achieve. Couple his actions with the European Space Agencies, the Russian Space Agency, and now the UAE and other Asian countries currrently involved in space exploration and the target is impossible. Even if some leaders were genuine - and I’m sure that some of them were, particularly those from countries under immediate threat from global warming - how indeed are they going to stop the proper world government when they, the capitalist class whose actions not only in space exploration but other activities in pursuit of profit on earth, are continuing relentlessly. For example, despite much fancy talk, deforestation (cutting away at the planet's lungs) is continuing even as they spoke at the COP. How are governments going to stop these activities without interfering with private enterprise? After all the neo-liberal agenda, globally, is committed to private enterprise (which is a name derived from legalised piracy on the high seas, Privateers) a very fitting name. The answer is they cannot stop the international bourgeoisie without taking over the industries themselves, something the present owners of the TNCs would resist and probably win. As the icecaps continue to melt at an alarming level, and even if 1.5 degrees is reached it will undoubtedly be too little too late.
As, in theory, we come out of Covid-19, and various lockdowns are lifted and air travel recommences once again, greenhouse gasses and carbon emissions are going to rise. If anything comparatively positive came out of the Covid-19 crisis it is proof that anything which may help save the planet must include a huge reduction in air travel, until such time as it can be electrified, and a reduction in motor cars on our roads. They will harp on about money, but has the penny not dropped? No planet = no money and certainly no profit quite simple really. The truth is none of the great and the good (who are neither) deep down believe it will happen, but after all they hope to have found somewhere else to live by then it appears! I firmly believe, if things do not radically alter in one hundred years from now earth will be no more. It can be stopped but a fanciful aim at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, without affecting profits and the needs of the greedy few will not work. Yes, Greta Thunberg was correct to describe the COP 26 as “blah, blah, blah”. Just hot air by the bigger countries and genuine wishful thinking by the poorer lands, the ones least responsible for any of this mess in the first place who will suffer first.
So, what next? Various governments around the world were worried about the school students, from Paris to New York to London and Dublin taking to the streets in protest at what the so-called grown ups are doing. Now, which in this respect, they have Covid-19 in their armoury, no need for police just shout, Covid and everybody will scatter. Call this cynical, and maybe it is (I am not a Covid-19 doubter) but I am aware of how it can be used to prevent any protest these governments find threatening. Greta Thunberg did a great job in mobilising the younger generation, as it will be they whose lives will be affected the most. She terrified governments, not through threats but stating facts. Don’t give up the struggle Greta (and an aging David Attenborough) because if people in power do not start listening - and I refer to the so-called Captains of Industry - this planet is a goner.
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Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist |
 26&p[summary]=Caoimhin O’Muraile ✒ On Friday 12th November 2021 the Conference of Parties (COP) 26 ended in Glasgow. The worlds political leaders, barr...&p[url]=https://www.thepensivequill.com/2021/11/cop-out-26.html&p[images][0]=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJ2m9Td-F3KXL8GSMR33oOXj2-A8BtRp_0ixvFSzEe46kZ-4xYMRaWreGDiqDmU10PbBjHWmaVom0vLsbWFOMzNo9pOz1ksyITZRCmGc02TwLQP6ybbW6P1benBkk86ftbjHgXpZi9tY/s0/01+Quill+Hand.png){kind=link}
To be fair , Musk has also put his money where his mouth is and is encouraging inventors to develop carbon capture technology. Still, the whole COP is nothing but wishful thinking for many of the reasons you have stated. As we have to learn to live with COVID so we must live with Climate Change.
ReplyDeleteThat's not to say we shouldn't do everything we can to mitigate it, but rather realise anything the West does is by far dwarfed by the output of developing countries plus China and Russia.
On another note, unless Humans become a space-faring race we face extinction at some point in the next 50k years. We cannot have infinite growth on a planet with finite resources. This is the driving thought behind the various space exploration endeavors. On the upside this cannot occur with primitive combustion engines alone. A new form of propulsion is required and it'll be one that doesn't rely on fossil fuels.
The problem, as I see it, is climate change has always occurred but the profit driven mode of production sinse the late 18th century has accellarated this change. For example, the North West Passage was impossible to navigate, just over a century ago. The ice was so thick, now it is a flowing water way above freezing. Passenger ships regularly take tourists.
ReplyDeleteAs for Musk, he did not become a billionaire by concerning himself with the planet. Of course, if possible he probably would prefer "carbon capture" motive power providing it is profitable. If not possible to be eco friendly and make a profit then money takes preference over all other considerations, including Mother Earth. Instead of spending trillions, this includes the Russians and Chinese, both capitalist countries,on space exploration, remember 28 747s taking off simultaneously each time a rocket lifts off, would it not be better spending that money on preventing climatic change, or minimising it to zero or as near to, on our planet now!
As for finding elsewhere to live, we already have a planet, only a few hundred of the mega rich will go. That is if such a planet is ever found. That money could, and should, be taken off Musk and the likes of, and spent on improving global health and conditions. As for over population and "finite resources" that is a slightly separate issue. Resources are only finite because of the uneven distrbution and development under capitalist conditions.
Caoimhin O'Muraile
Spoken like a true Marxist. Regrettably capitalism is the only show in town and is here in perpetuity.
DeleteMusk recognizes this fact and is trying to incentivize a solution to the problem. Something socialism would be unable to do.
Better to deal with the reality than complain about it.
One of the tragedies, apart from the obvious, is the undoubted talents of people like Elon Musk, could be used in planet preserving, as oppossed to planet destroying, projects. Great minds abusing their talents playing space cowboys when, instead, they could be helping preserve what we all have and rely on, particularly in the so called Third World. Not as profitable, but they would feel much better for it!
ReplyDeleteCaoimhin O'Muraile