Climate Perceptions and Actualities

Climate activist, Greta Thunberg, says (not unreasonably), that it is 'strange' that US President, Joe Biden, is regarded, in sections of the media, as a 'climate leader' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/28/greta-thunberg-joe-biden-climate-crisis-fight-leader). Thunberg notes that the current US administration has actually issued even more licences for extracting and utilising fossil fuels than the previous administration. The US didn't even sign up to stop using coal at Cop26, although this was perceived as an urgent priority. Even American Presidents, however, have nothing like personal control over the country's use of fuels. They can advocate preferred directions of travel but actual decision-making is generally out of their hands. Individual states and large corporations hold the levers of power. Biden's situation is especially limiting, when he doesn't have large majorities in the Senate or the House. Perhaps Biden gets credit simply for not being a climate change denier, like his predecessor? It is clear, however, that the future of the planet's climate is far from certain. Cop26 mainly yielded aspirations and a few undertakings. None of the agreed 'changes' can actually be legally enforced. Administrations will change. Some people can, and will, deviate from doing what is needed. There is nothing like a reliable 'road map' to get to carbon zero.