David Miliband: Don’t let the age of austerity be the age of inaction

“There is not much good news when it comes to managing the global system. The euro is (still) in crisis; trade talks are stuck; the Group of 20 has run into the sand; and then there is climate change – the greatest global challenge met by the greatest global short-sightedness. Or are we missing something?” Why yes, Dave, you really are

To begin with, your “greatest global challenged” – the much name-changed “global warming” actually hasn’t been occurring this past 10-15 years (that’s kind of a big miss by your side). Then there’s the point you never understood – even if the globe did warm that would be heaps better than cooling for people and most critters on the planet. We most assuredly do not want or need any “action on climate change”.

… Finally, the scientific community has to rehabilitate itself. In 2014, the UN’s fifth assessment is set to report a significant worsening of the trends. But the communication of those facts and the strengthening of trust in climate science is critical.

Achieving a global deal will help, but a treaty is only as good as the actions countries take to implement it. Before the crisis, Britain enacted some of the world’s strongest pro-climate policies and was staking out a position as a leader in the green economy. We cannot let the age of austerity be the age of inaction – the climate will not wait. Reducing our dependence on foreign energy, investing in low-carbon infrastructure, and innovating and exporting green technologies are critical levers for reviving the UK’s economy.

Low-carbon development raises issues of justice, security and prosperity. It is one of the hardest nuts to crack in the multilateral system. As leadership elections and transitions dominate politics in the next 18 months, this is a challenge the winners cannot be allowed to duck.

Financial Times