Today, I hope to analyse the state of politics and the
relations it has with climate change - the question I hope to answer is: is it truly
an enabler of successful climate change mitigation policies?
Taking a sociological vantage in recognising the change in
times: the rise in modernity has created a new plethora of environmental issues
for society today. Actions of modern society has created multiple environmental
disasters around the world. Notably, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster which
spurred the driver of the term ‘Risk Society’ by Beck (1992). Actions are taken
now to mitigate away from any ‘manufactured risk’ that we might for-see in
society. Climate change identified to be a product of this modern society, I
believe, receives the same treatment. The role of politics here is vital.
There are many facets to the climate change arena in a
political context: funding, laws and legislations are few of many. These facets
can be enablers of the climate change rhetoric, but they can be just as
damaging as they can be good. Political will is thus vital enabling effective
mitigation of climate change – but climate change and politics are constant
sparring partners. The question living sustainably is not seen to be
economically viable and there-in lies the issue.
Firstly, considering the role of climate in an ever-increasing
media and social media -orientated world is vital. Following the work of George
Monbiot, the neglect of reporting the many perilous consequences of climate
change in the popular news is a harsh reality of the current sphere. But, to a
greater extent, the lack of reports on popular government reports being used as
evidence by climate deniers is among one of the largest mis-justices made by
the media.
‘the debate [on climate change]
is often limited in scope and is too compartmentalised. To truly come to terms
with the increasingly urgent need for mitigation and adaptation requires a
broad, policy perspective because the impact of climate change challenges every
corner of the 21st century state.’ (Giddens
2008)
The quote above by Giddens made in the Politics of Climate
Change paper, refers to the debate of climate change claims being substantiated
or not. A move away from this tired rhetoric is strongly needed. A change in
state of mind, state of economy would be better environmentally. As Giddens
further identifies, there needs to be a broad perspective on policy for
mitigation and adaptation. In other words, there needs to be not just adequate,
but robust political will to garner change that will push towards a new era. The
will is there! The ratification, which includes major polluting countries (India,
China, USA), of the 2015 Paris Agreement proves that there is will to do so! We
have the means to do so too, as identified in prior posts through
geo-engineering and renewable energies.
There are however, bleak pit stops along the way. The inauguration
of president-elect Trump in USA threatens the outlook. Donald Trump’s views on
climate change being a hoax, written oh-so-articulately on his Twitter account
show him to be a climate denier, his strong disbelief in the Paris Agreement and
pledging
to remove the US before sliding back on his word and claiming to have an open
mind about it sows seeds of doubt in my mind about the political well-being
of the climate change arena.
Drawing a close to the post: is politics an enabler of
climate change? My answer is: If the narrative of climate change is treated carefully
and thought about carefully with the right state of mind and robust political
will: it is – we have seen this through the success of the eradication of CFC
usage that harmed the ozone. But it would be naïve of me to not recognise climate
deniers, among who, residing on the highest tower is Trump. There is still a
way to go eradicate the lingering effects of climate change and make sure the
same mistakes aren’t made again.
But, where there is a will, there is always a way.
