The Democracy Now! article begins:
This year, there are at least 2,456 lobbyists at COP28, the U.N. climate summit in Dubai — nearly four times as many as last year — from companies like Shell, Total and ExxonMobil. The lobbyists outnumber the delegations of every country other than Brazil and the United Arab Emirates, which is hosting the summit, presided over by the CEO of the UAE’s national oil company, Sultan Al Jaber. “It’s definitely impossible to ignore how front and center the fossil fuel influence is at this particular COP,” says Rachel Rose Jackson, director of climate research and policy at Corporate Accountability, who says the climate summit must kick out big polluters and “reset the system so that it can finally end fossil fuels and advance real solutions and save millions of lives that don’t need to be lost.”
What can be done to “reset the system” and prevent the fossil fuel industry from baking the planet?
I’m not sure, but the effort to shame these people as “morally bankrupt” seems to have limited effect, insofar as Big Oil completely understands that they are despised, but don’t appear the least bit chagrined–or even embarrassed.
There are essentially two forms of government on this planet: those that care about the wellbeing of their citizens and serve their interests and those that don’t.
Until the late 20th Century, one could have plausibly argued either way re: the United States. Since about 1980, it’s been clear that we really couldn’t care less about the sufferings of the common American.
It’s really become part of our brand. Billionaires deserve tax cuts. The middle class is shrinking, and the poor deserve a kick in the ass for not working harder.
Just nominate some well-educated businessman or city mayor — or maybe just a principled lobster fisherman.
Maine: This shouldn’t be too tough a challenge.
Every day, our nation’s face is pushed a little bit further into the toilet.
-
Climate Change11 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases11 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Renewable Energy9 months agoSending Progressive Philanthropist George Soros to Prison?
-
Carbon Footprint2 years agoUS SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules Spur Renewed Interest in Carbon Credits
-
Greenhouse Gases12 months ago
嘉宾来稿：探究火山喷发如何影响气候预测