Climate change cannot be bargained with

Our half-hearted measures are as dangerous as the 1930s appeasement of Hitler

It was a year ago this week that Gordon Brown and Tony Blair shared a platform to launch the Stern report on the economics of climate change. The then-prime minister said it was the most important report released in his time in office. The then-chancellor said his ambition was for Britain to lead the world in creating a stable and sustainable economy based on low carbon.
Green lobby groups lapped it up. At last, they said, the government had got the message about the dangers of global warming and was prepared to take the necessary measures to first halt the rise in greenhouse gas emissions and then turn the tide.

For the environmental lobbyists, fans as they are of Tolkien, it was like the moment Theoden, the wizened king of Rohan, decides to take a stand against the evil wizard Saruman – a turning point in the life and death struggle between good and evil.

The response was somewhat different last week when documents confirmed that ministers were seeking to wriggle out of a commitment, not just strongly backed but insisted upon by Tony Blair, that Europe produce 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

When they heard the talk of “severe practical difficulties in hitting the target” or watched the energy minister Malcolm Wicks say that other European countries could do a bit of Britain’s heavy lifting, green groups heard the voice of Theoden’s treacherous servant Wormtongue, not that of people ready to stand up and fight.

The Guardian (London)