So the triumphalism of the Paris Climate change talks seemed contagious and timely. But there were criticisms. Not enough money. Too voluntary, not really binding. And so on.
Here is another: Pollution and Health
Carbon capture does not address cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer) and other health issues brought about by pollution.
Great news that mayors of 1,000 cities committed to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050, but this does not go far enough to reach the 1.5 degrees target. Only a reduction of carbon in the air does. Enters carbon capture. A technology that remains largely theoretical. But even if it were to work wonders the other gases and particles associated to hydrocarbons burning will continue to rise. Or stay at the present level which is already bad enough. E.g. “Ambient (outdoor air pollution) in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012.”
Reduction of global warming does not mean clean air. The range of cardiovascular and respiratory disease the WHO has been publishing will not be affected by the present agreement. Only a much more radical move towards renewables will, leaving the oil and coal in the ground will. We may discuss the minutiae of climate change till the cows come home. The deniers may present counter arguments and denounce the believers as much as they feel like but nobody can deny the health impact of burning fossil fuels. Did anybody mention this in Paris? I do not know. But missing this point is a serious failing of an otherwise possible revolutionary historical moment.
We are in a moment of global issues when humanity can no longer give piecemeal and fragmented responses. Climate change. Pandemics. Terrorism. Nuclear weapons. Refugees. Borders are meaningless. The Paris talks and the International Space Station show cooperation is possible but the usual vested interests (arms dealers, international financial capital, the oil industry) are also examples of borderlessness that conspire to make us fail because they derive huge profits from it.
We must find a balance between complaining about the agreement not going far enough and being able to rejoice that humanity managed to get together to give these issues some serious thought. Otherwise the enemies of humanisation will get in through the cracks and make it all fail.
Three important things happened in France within a few weeks of one another.
The terrorist attack. The climate change agreement. The failure of the far-right Front National to gain control of any region thanks to tactical voting. Other parties decided to cooperate even, as they are, very ideologically different but they decided fascism is going too far. Good for them. I’m not a great fan of tactical voting but I must confess this one felt right.
The era of cooperation may just be starting.
