Events

Harold Macmillan was UK's Prime Minister in the 1960s (my era). He was asked what the greatest challenge for a statesman was. He replied, "Events, dear boy, events". It is rather pointless to rank the various challenges facing the world's people. But, pretty obviously, maintaining a viable planet, capable of supporting human (as well as much other) life, must come pretty high on our agenda. Much, however, depends on who you are and where you are. Climate change can seem like less of an emergency, when individuals face potential violent death, loss of their rights, a virulent virus, cannot provide food for their families, fear losing their job and/or cannot pay their bills. Tackling the climate emergency can always be put off for another day (we've already been doing this for decades). Doing something meaningful about climate change requires immediate and coordinated action by leaders across the globe. That requires those leaders to project auras of credibility. 'Events' may, however, be wrecking the calculus. Recent 'events' in Afghanistan have instantly damaged credibility of at least one leader (and his approval ratings). That might well make it much more difficult for him to play a role in obtaining agreements at COP26. Events might be creating a perfect storm.