"Whether driven by ideology, inertia or profit, an alarming number of politicians and business leaders are prepared to risk global stability for a few more years of fossil-fuel dominance. They can only maintain this stance if they are able to convince enough people that irrational moves towards more climate chaos are in fact pragmatic, and that climate campaigners’ demands are unrealistic.
Whether the greenlash continues, or gives way to new momentum for climate action, will be determined not only by elections, economic developments or Donald Trump’s latest views. It will also depend on the tone and clarity of public discourse, and on the stories we tell ourselves.
Decarbonising economies that have throughout their existence depended on fossil fuels is complicated, and will only become more so. But there is no more important task for governments than finding ways through these challenges and forging alliances of the willing to protect life. If common politics doesn’t grow a spine, then public commentators must—for the sake of, well, everything."
