As the talks started at the beginning of this week I noticed the atmosphere had changed. Up until then I had felt the mood was too gloomy: then it felt too optimistic, with people assuming because some of the key countries have put numbers on the table, success had somehow become inevitable.
That feeling didn’t last long, when there was a leak of a text that appeared to cause uproar. Old hands, who are familiar with these processes, pointed out this was inevitable and there could well be more such leaks and more such outrage. There will certainly be more disagreement. And the dynamics are hard to predict as further texts and “non-papers” are issued and scrutinised.
What is needed is momentum. Europe today has the chance to inject that. In Brussels at the European Council Gordon Brown will be pushing for greater EU ambition on both emissions cuts and immediate finance, and also continue to argue for a global commitment to long term finance with Europe playing its part.
As ministers join me here in Copenhagen over the weekend we should make the most of any progress made in Brussels.
Having arrived in a city besieged by people and paper, I am already clear about one thing, Copenhagen is not just another international negotiation. It is a crucial moment of choice for all of us. I am determined that we will make the right choice.
Whether these talks succeed or fail, the world will be transformed by the middle of this century. Our choice is how. We can choose a future we want for ourselves and our children or we can let events choose a less positive future for us.
Our guest writer is Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
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• And stay tuned for an exclusive Left Foot Forward poll on Sunday covering public attitudes and Copenhagen.
UPDATE 08.59
Left Foot Forward understands that the Prime Minister will say in his press conference with President Sarkozy this morning in Brussels:
“I believe Europe will today make an offer to push forward the Copenhagen talks. Europe will pay its share of a $10 billion fast track finance fund. Europe will also offer to pay its fair share of the $100 billion long-term finance required annually by 2020.”
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20 Responses to “The atmosphere has changed in Copenhagen”
David Wearing
Anon E Mouse – Labourism has historically been an alliance of progressive people from all classes – that’s the core vote.
Now personally, I wouldn’t feel qualified to speak for the entire working class. You go ahead if you want to. At any rate, I know of no evidence that people at the lower end of the income scale care only about their own situation, and that empathy for others is the preserve of the middle class.
Its immaterial anyway, because as time passes the effects of climate change will be felt not just by the developing countries, as is the case today, but increasingly in countries like ours as well.
David Wearing
Clare Spencer – I don’t lose hope on the basis of the enormity of the task. The task is entirely achievable. What mitigates against hope is the behaviour of the rich countries, who are offering nothing so far that would prevent catastrophic climate change according to the science. Indeed, according to the leaked text, they are trying to stitch up a deal that would guarentee catastrophic climate change.
What makes me hopeful is the palpable refusal of the poorer nations to be shafted by the rich countries, plus the dedication, organisation and quality of the work being done by NGOs and activists. I’d rather put my faith in them than in the governments of the countries that caused climate change and that have done precious little so far to deal with it.
Henry
Actually, Anon, there was a poll in Politics Home this week that suggested that a small majority of people either thought the government was not doing enough on climate change or had got it about right. They didn’t break it down by class, but, as you’d expect, it was Tory voters who generally didn’t think anything needed to be done.
Anon E Mouse
David Wearing – I wouldn’t be so arrogant to assume I do speak for the whole working class in this country and likewise I don’t expect our (unelected – I voted for “Full Third Term Blair” – remember that one) Prime Minister to spend our money for the benefit of a minority opinion in the UK.
By your answer of “not knowing of any evidence of people at the lower end of the income spectrum caring about their own situation” shows that you simply do not live in that world. A real example for you David:
My friend (ex-Labour voter, 50 years old, council house, plumber, South Wales) been off work once for 6 weeks with a broken collarbone in his whole life. Now unemployed. He has paid taxes since he was 16 years old and now gets £64.00 JSA a week to live on. £64.00? He has lost over a stone in weight, had his van repossessed and worries about everything constantly.
He’s a church goer and does his bit for charity but simply does not believe in your unproven psycho-babble mumbo jumbo. You hold a minority opinion.
So tell me David Waring, what gives this temporary Prime Minister the right to spend our money that could help him and others like him? Without asking.
Everyone keeps telling me the oil is going to run out. Why complain then? As the oil runs out less will be burned and less CO2 will be released into the atmosphere so it’s a win win all round.
From your posts here let me guess: you are some “media consultant outreach pro-active coordinator” or do some other such grandiose type of job. Lucky you.
Try living in the world the way it is David not the way you’d like it to be – try living on £64.00 a week – try walking a mile in my shoes and you may not feel the same.
Anon E Mouse
Henry – I don’t say nothing should be done – quite the reverse.
The government is simply not doing the right things – it’s full of incorrectly educated and clearly stupid people, so one could argue why would it. But it should.
As I have said earlier the Tories are even worse.