Democracy and climate change in conflict

Democracy and any moves to resolve the circumstances damaging earth’s atmosphere manifesting as climate change appear to be in conflict.

Climate change advocates argue for swift and sweeping action, but the doubters continually retreat to the cover of democracy and use the mechanism of choice, free speech, balance, and rights to avoid any change from the status quo.

Those of us concerned about climate change have not used democracy well, or at least we have misunderstood it, while those still adhering to the business as usual paradigm have “used” democracy to their advantage.

Democracy is an unusual and troublesome beast for in an ideal world it would lead to a peaceful resolution of climate change, but as we all know nothing is ever ideal, and so the democratic process becomes corrupted and is “worked” best by the doubters.

The Lecturer in Public Sector Management at the University of Canberra, Randal G. Stewart, has explored democracy and climate change in an article on The Conversation headed: “Climate campaigns trip up on democracy at critical points”.