Transcending short-termism for the benefit of generations to come
In the wake of stark warnings from the IPCC, the imperative for global nations to expedite climate action has never been more urgent, and with more than 60 countries heading to the polls in 2024 - including major players like the US, UK, India, South Africa, Pakistan, and Russia - it's widely expected that climate concerns will feature prominently in party manifestos.
However, even as temperatures soar, with 2023 marking the hottest year on record, surpassing pre-industrial averages by 1.48°C, doubts arise given the backtracking on commitments witnessed post-COVID, raising questions about political will in addressing the climate crisis amidst a backdrop of pressing socioeconomic issues.
Around the world, sitting governments are failing to match the rhetoric of the past few international COP meetings with reality. The 2024 elections are a litmus test for politicians' sincerity towards climate action.
In the UK the Conservative government's retreat from prior commitments, rationalised under the guise of energy security concerns relating to international sanctions on Russia and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, reflects a stark economic versus environmental dichotomy. The approval of over 100 new North Sea exploration licenses in 2023 and the advancement of the Whitehaven coal mine project in Cumbria despite there being no demand in the UK for this coal, highlights these conflicting interests. Additionally, opposition to on-shore wind projects in the UK, despite a lifting of the de facto ban, further complicates the landscape.
Opposition parties, too, exhibit wavering resolve, exemplified by Labour's halving of its £28bn annual green investment pledge and resistance to initiatives like the ULEZ. Amidst this political vacillation, public trust in climate policies dwindles, fostering apathy and scepticism.
Yet, the actions taken by governments in the forthcoming terms will determine the trajectory of emissions and the likelihood of achieving the Paris Agreement's ambitious targets.
Globally, developing nations like India and Pakistan prioritise economic growth over climate concerns, reflecting the complex interplay between development and environmental stewardship.
In the US, the spectre of another Trump administration raises alarms among climate professionals and environmentalists worldwide, potentially undoing the progress made under President Biden. Russia's policies, deemed 'Critically Insufficient' by the Climate Action Tracker, support a 4°C warming pathway, signalling a perilous deviation from the Paris Agreement's objectives.
However, the challenges extend beyond political self-interest and immediate-termism; societal focus on immediate concerns like cost of living and security eclipses long-term environmental priorities. Moreover, it is the media painting climate activists as 'enemies of society’ that exacerbates polarisation and hinders constructive dialogue. Whilst peaceful protests are continuously labelled as ‘eco-extremism’, attention will undoubtedly divert from the issues that have led to the protests. Politicians, trapped in this narrative, struggle to engage with climate change, further perpetuating the cycle of inaction.
Nevertheless, there's burgeoning cross-party collaboration on environmental issues, recognising the economic dividends of transitioning to a net-zero economy. From job creation to enhanced public health and global competitiveness, the c are endless, underscoring the imperative for concerted action. Yet, where are the political parties brave enough to make climate change a centrepiece of their policies?
Kicking the climate can down the road will only make the future more expensive and challenging for the generations to come.
As campaigning intensifies, fostering dialogue between constituents and politicians becomes paramount. Engage with your local MPs, demand clarity on their party’s climate commitments, and help steer politics towards a sustainable future, transcending short-termism for the benefit of generations to come. It is time we make them realise we are watching and that the stakes could not be higher.
Whilst writing this blog I am reminded of a Greek Proverb:
‘A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.’
Scott Armstrong – February 2024