© winterstorm weather.com
Last year the world's leading climate scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
issued a "code red" for humanity and outlined how we had to stop oil and gas drilling if we wanted a livable future. Also last year, the world's energy watchdog, the
International Energy Agency (IEA) finally acknowledged that to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (ºC),
we must cease all new investment in the expansion of oil, gas, and coal supply beyond that already committed now.
But still we drill. Take three countries who like to see themselves as climate leaders.
First, the United States. At the
UN climate conference at COP26 in Glasgow, U.S. President Joe Biden beat the drum for urgent action:
"The science is clear: We only have a brief window left before us to raise our ambitions and to raise — to meet the task that's rapidly narrowing. This is a decisive decade in which we have an opportunity to prove ourselves. We can keep the goal of limiting global warming to just 1.5 degrees Celsius within our reach if we come together, if we commit to doing our part of each of our nations with determination and with ambition."
Second, Canada. Biden's North American counterpart,
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, added that
"the science is clear: we must do more, and faster. So that's the pledge and the call I bring to this historic meeting."
Third, Norway. The Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reiterated the need for drastic action at COP26, telling delegates,
"this is existential. It is urgent. And it is possible - if we jointly step up our commitments."
That was last year. This is a new year, and instead of new commitments to double down on climate action, what do we see?
Comment: No matter what happens, Trudeau is henceforth ruling with a clear majority against him and his government.