Reflections on Durban

Geoff Croker gives us his take on the Durban Climate Change Conference:

“Massively historic”.

“Delusional” best describes the Durban Climate Summit delegates, and its results. Predictable, were the sworn spin-doctors pushing a propaganda cart filled with buzzwords, promises and fantasies.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet, with pallid cheeks flushed with joy, called the outcome a “massively historic step that has not been achieved before.” He then bewildered a global audience with: “For the first time we have stood up in the United Nations forum and our major trading partners, the US, China and Japan and Korea and India and many others have all stood up and said ‘yes, we’ll be part of a new deal’.”

Still high on gabfest jubilation-juice the minister blurted, “One thing is absolutely clear, nobody can sustain an argument that Australia is out there alone in the world tackling climate change. Every single country in the world has committed to an agreement to take effect from 2020.”

Absolute twaddle! “Every single country” has not “committed!” Major countries like Canada, Russia, China, Japan, India and the US are far from “committed.” Also, most “commitments” are conditional and not applicable for decades.

Were Mr. Combet not programmed to spruik party line and UN lies he might privately believe those “massively historic” achievements may serve as rough toilet paper on a spike in an Oodnadatta dunny. Meanwhile, Australia leads the way as a confused orphan, a hapless victim of a Gillard/Green’s “roadmap” to nowhere.

Mr. Combet ignores that previous climate summits, including the inaugural Copenhagen flop, have ended in tears as countries do the sums that total deepening poverty or budget breaking expenditure predicated on uncertainty, especially with conflicting reports from sceptics and scandalous, IPCC report-doctoring by leading climate scientists.

Another, preaching from the summit propaganda memo was Grenadian Ambassador Dessima Williams. She leads the charge for 42 island nations who believe their homes will be flooded, all with their hands outstretched for a slice of the $100 billion fund. “Historic is the word,” she said. “The idea that we got everybody to agree to take some form of legal commitment is a major outcome.” This comes from group hypnosis.

Identical words and phrases used by delegates, ALL of them Warmistas, have me wondering what happens at those meetings. Immediate to mind is Alice B. Toklas’ famous tea parties at which her hashish-laced brownies launched all to euphoria. But, the delegates’ intoxication for the unattainable will only mimic the feeble buzz of a middy of half strength beer. Upon return to their electorates in the real world, avowed oaths are quickly forgotten. Durban’s make-believe will be no different.

The Durban agreement includes Kyoto Protocol II, Kyoto I lapses next year. Swept under the carpet was Canada’s decision to withdraw from Kyoto as will several other nations. At this stage the only nations to “commit” is the 27-nation European Union who collectively produce less than 20% of global emissions. Except Australia, who will lead the world, like the lone piper squawking off-key from the ramparts of Normandy. Nobody is listening.
The conference, desperate for support, again set rules for a green climate fund amounting to $100 billion to help poorer countries clean up their act. It’s really wealth redistribution and we’ve seen this nonsense before; it’s a windfall for despotic dictators who spend up on palace extensions, lavish parties, more Rolls Royce limos, and bulging, Swiss bank accounts. Only $1billion has been collected so far—probably Australia’s down payment.
Beyond a sympathetic press and ebullient politicians, surprises do break. Friends of the Earth Climate Justice, Coordinator Sarah-Jayne Clifton said. “Led by the US, developed nations have reneged on their promises, weakened the rules on climate action and strengthened those that allow their corporations to profit from the climate crisis.”

In rebirthed détente, French foreign ministry spokesperson Bernard Valero described the conference as a roadmap, an “important compromise.” Their journey to 2015 when the agreement is supposed to be approved will be a rough trip and by operational date of 2020 that “historic roadmap” will be a tattered parchment fraught with burned bridges and potholes that fizzle in a cul-de-sac.

Such political chatter is code for, “shove it on the back burner mes amis, we’ve got more to worry about, like Europe going down the gurgler sooner than we think.”

According to some lawyers, the Durban deal is nothing more than a voluntary arrangement that’s been postponed until 2020. By 2020, many of the Durban delegates will be retired, voted out of office, change of portfolio, or will have committed suicide because climate cooling became an embarrassing reality. Climate summits are sisyphean folly.

Nevertheless, the world will watch as the Gillard/Brown government leads the way. And, what for? To placate the Greens and hang on to power that according to polls is surely short lived.

Geoff Croker has 30 years expirience writing for publications both in Australia and abroad. 

Comments

[tee]

1.

how poorly written and partisan and wtf is "sisyphean folly" ?

[Mat]

2.

Tee - WTF? If you're unfamiliar with the legend of Sisyphus, surely you are familiar with Google...

[tee]

3.

Why bother? pure pseudo intellectual fluff Matty. Im sure it is as meaningful to me as it is to any other average Australian reader. Very impressed at his knowledge of Greek Myth but would not "arduous task" perhaps been a little more moderate and less presumptuous? But let this not become a form of 'greek fire' between us, this is a nothing article.

[Barry]

4.

tee,, go find a planet you belong too , you certainly don't fit in here,,,,,

oh ,, try to find something intelligent to say ,, seems you and Combet might be in the same basket.

The basket of brainwashed fools.

[tee]

5.

oh Barry be careful the North Koreans are about to overtake our government. Perhaps we can flee together to whatever planet you inhabit in your mind?

[Anton]

6.

Were you waiting for rational argument from Tee?

[tee]

7.

Barry is of quite an unsound mind to fight his own battles anton.

[Mat]

8.

Really Tee - you would define sisyphean as arduous? An arduous task is strenuous, a sisyphean task may also be strenuous, but by it's very nature it cannot be completed - it is pointless. The two terms are not synonyms. I know that I shouldn't feed the trolls, but at what point did using an adjective in it's correct context become 'Pseudo intellectual fluff?' I'm sure that the average Australian reader has the ability to check a dictionary if they encounter an unfamiliar term. Your inability to do so speaks volumes.....

[Lillith]

9.

:-)

[tee]

10.

Ok Matt i surrender to your intelligence. Unending task, even futility, would have been better for the average Australian like myself.

[ibbit]

11.

The climate change scam wanders ever on and on.

Love the use of "delusional" "absolute twaddle" to describe some of the Durban hot air. Very appropriate.

Not to be overlooked is the "programmed" Mr. Combet drunk on delusional labor party AGW nonsense. This, I think, is a true description of the levels of labor party intelligence, programmed, and the more farcial the nonsense programmed into them,the better they like it.

And "sisyphean folly". Brilliant summation of the ongoing AGW farce.

[kraka]

12.

Tee-I thought you liked mythology. You believe in the AGW myth afterall.

[kraka]

13.

Anton, Lillith and co-Notice how the usual trolls don't frequent the AGW scam posts anymore. They know it's over-been exposed for the politcal,economic and scientific fraud that is WAS. Except Tee of course-he/she just loves showing everyone what little intellect he/she has. You can't cure stupid.

[tee]

14.

Krak wit I have never anywhere stated such you over-generalizing galoot.

[tee]

15.

belief in AGW that is, where have i ever commented on the AGW or stated i believed or disbelieved in it? Show me- show me one instance. For I never have.

As for your other comments- well trying to show one what intellect you have or havent is not the point- being accurate is, which im afraid you fail, fail, fail, kid.

I also love when the more extreme examples of group moronity in any way feel challenged on this open blog they like to comment to each other about those they dont like, disagree with or attempt to denigrate- terribly puerile and piss weak approach really but always revealing.

[kraka]

16.

wow-group moronity-did your head hurt coming up with that one. As for denigrating those who disagree-well my dear that is a consistent trend of the left (to whom you belong). Pretty well every cause the left believe in is not up for debate. Anything resembling an objection is shouted down with slurs such as racism,denier,sexism etc. As with everthing you write the hypocrisy you display is breathtaking.I'm not sure who gave you permission to leave the kiddies table.As for your belief in AGW-I'll take your word for it and apologize for assuming. It would seem strange that you agree/side always with the left but not on AGW-hence my assumption.

[tee]

17.

All i did above is point out the partisan nature of the article and its use of references to classical mythology that would go over the heads of most average Australians.

As for your other comments apology accepted, haste in respondfing to posts is a weakness we may all share form time to time.

Not all people fit easily into your black and white categories dont forget. I like the idea of "group moronity" - in terms of grammar awkward perhaps but in light of your need to categorize and conform to one set of fundamental beliefs apt. Who is the hypocrite in this case? And as you are at it point out my sin of hypocrisy please?

[kraka]

18.

your joking right? "being accurate is"fail fail fail. Exactly how can you say Howard was not a good PM and be accurate. That is opinion masquerading as fact. Denigrate with those who disagree-puerile was one word you used. In this very blog you just denigrated Barry's intellect and mine.You called Howard a grub yesterday-without proof i think that could be construed as denigrating someone because of their belief-you call him a grub on pure idealogical grounds. None of us are free of hypocrisy but the bigger sin is not admitting it or worse-not even realizing it.

[tee]

19.

your on the wrong thread here Krak, Howard is back a few. BTW i ddn't call him a grub, my father did who you also denigrated. This a no-no, but Ill let you pass on it seeing you are so rash and prone to apologies. But nice to see you are engaged as usual.

Your attack on so called leftists who are not "up for debate" and who disallow "Anything resembling an objection" is surely mirrored in your black and white approach to political viewpoints wherein you conveniently define one as right or left according to their stand on various issues. This at best is a fundamentalist approach which gives no leeway for varied opinions. At worst it demands a conformity to rightist thought on all issues or be labelled left. How absolutely dictatorial and myopic of you in regard the Australian electorate.

Your need of an enemy is perhaps as great as your need of allies you so readily run to and use an aside to sling mud at some one who disagrees with you - yes puerile and absolutely piss weak.

To be considered a leading online community for thinkers of any persuasion MH needs more balanced and considered, informed posts like that of the preacher last week re: chaplaincy or just be considered nothing more than a clearing house for rightwing propaganda, wherein is no room for discussion or especially in your case, tolerance of those who disagree with your fundamentalist political creed.

After 30 years of journalistic experience Croker has not graduated out of the ranks of hack journalism and cannot write a nuanced bipartisan article for debate or discussion. His work is nothing more than propaganda for the faithful, how ho-hum, lets preach to the choir and pat ourselves on the back.

[liberal elitist]

20.

The "left-wing trolls" are still here, kraka. For my part I just comment less frequently because banging one's head against a brick wall becomes tiresome after a while. Naturally, a site that does nothing but whine about the "AGW scam" is bound to become dominated by those with that viewpoint over time. Don't you think that if the 'fraud' had been 'exposed', you might be able to point to a mainstream political party, academic institution or newspaper that rejects climate science? Believing that AGW is a fraud is one thing, but believing that your opinion is mainstream is delusional.

[bluebell]

21.

[Don't you think that if the 'fraud' had been 'exposed', you might be able to point to a mainstream political party, academic institution or newspaper that rejects climate science?]

There are plenty, but they don't get the same prominence as your darling Climate Change devotees. Also many eminent scientists are being silenced through fear of being ridiculed by their peers. The current behavior by governments and institutions in this matter reminds me of the witch hunts that went on during 14th 15th 16th centuries against those scientists that challenged the official view. We are creating a dangerous environment when governments influence the outcomes of scientific data. These scientists are being bought and paid for with rivers of money flowing from the public purse to produce 'facts and figures' that slot into the governments agenda. Seeing that you have such absolute faith in scientists you might like to give us your opinion on the Dutch scientists that have deliberately mutated the bird flu.....I am sure you have absolute faith of their 'good intentions', and their very very professional conduct. These arseholes have the potential to wipe out over 65% of humanity if it ever gets out of their 'secure' lab. Climate change will be the last of your worries!

[kraka]

22.

LE-the majority of average voting Australians do believe AGW is a fraud. The fact you don't know that says more about your beliefs and the company you keep than mine. I'll give you a chance to prove AGW is true. Over any given 30yr cycle please link to imperical real world data that matches the AGW theory of human co2 being the main driver of the climate and temperature. Just one LE-JUST ONE over any given 30yr period (the statistical norm) from anytime in history. Ii predict Instead you will revert to the tired arguments as per your last post.Or better still you'll feign exasperation, throw your hands in the air and say why bother, you won't believe me. I promise you I will if you can provide. Don't you think it even a little strange that after years of sceptics asking the experts for that exact same piece of data that no-one has been able to do it? Delusional is believing in something that doesn't exist. Consensus is not science LE-it only takes one piece of data to completely remove a consensus-and there is real time data aplenty that disproves AGW.

[Philip Dowling]

23.

Of course, tee I know exactly what you mean. I mean it is obvious that you are average when it comes to reading. Quite average. I can well understand and appreciate your desire for simple rather than sesquipedalian language. The simpler the better. No doubt you would prefer the simplicity of a comic book rather than the use of nuanced terms that are chosen so carefully as to instantly convey complete situations, based on historical myths, using one word. Some people are just so pretentious that they even make up some of their own words, like that dude Shakespeare.
Perhaps tee we should reduce the number of words in the English language to match your vocabulary. Do you agree?

[tee]

24.

sowee Filep, coodnt wead yaw puste as I dunt no all da wurds u yuse.

[kraka]

25.

Howard received the Order of Merit from the Queen-one of the highest awards possible. What was it we were saying about Howards place in history Tee?

[tee]

26.

Give it time Kraka, as I have said to you before. personally I am no monarchist.

[Geoff Crocker]

27.

Very well said, Mr. Dowling. A single word often gives the key to an entire picture. And, what are dictionaries for, if not to educate?
Geoff Crocker. (they forgot the "C" in my name. It's my real name. I don't hide behind "handles".