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Some reflections on the contradictions that are an occupational hazard for those of us campaigning for a safe climate 1/n https://twitter.com/borisjohnson/status/1334804086554767363
When announcements like this are made, how should climate campaigners respond? I chose to give a small welcome to yesterday’s announcement, unlike most of my peers in the movement who were quick to criticise its many deficiencies 2/n https://twitter.com/crisortunity/status/1334759516051824640
It’s not really that obvious what the right response was, because the UK’s new Nationally Determined Contribution to global mitigation efforts is simultaneously:
3/n
3/n
Better than:
the emissions reduction targets of any other major economy in the world
the targets of any other right wing government in the world (by a country mile)
the UK government’s previous climate commitments
my own expectations
4/n
the emissions reduction targets of any other major economy in the world the targets of any other right wing government in the world (by a country mile) the UK government’s previous climate commitments my own expectations 4/n
But also:
relies on
Negative Emissions Tech unicorns materialising at vast scale 
international emissions trading aka 
+
falls far short of UK’s fair share
still = dangerous warming
comes w/o a policy plan to achieve it, when current targets will be missed
5/
relies on
Negative Emissions Tech unicorns materialising at vast scale international emissions trading aka +
falls far short of UK’s fair share still = dangerous warmingcomes w/o a policy plan to achieve it, when current targets will be missed5/
So the new target is both manifestly inadequate & not grounded in any plan to deliver it, whilst simultaneously being a big improvement on previous UK targets & comparing favourably with almost everyone else’s targets.
Is this good? Or bad?
6/
Is this good? Or bad?
6/
My personal emotional reaction to the news was pleasant surprise & relief. I recognise this is a function of 15 years of climate dread & continual disappointment. To sustain the emotional energy needed to keep up the struggle I’m obliged to take sustenance from such meagre fare
7
7
Lately I have settled on trying to give every new advance a day of enjoyment, before picking back up where we left off the next day. Savouring moments maybe helps get out of the cycle of disaffection & complaints, to actually feel the progress we are making (too slowly)
8/
8/
I don’t really know what kind of public response to each inadequate step forward serves the agenda of rapid change best. But it’s something I think about a lot
Ends/
Ends/
