David Spratt critical of Paris agreements

Melbourne’s David Spratt has been less than complimentary about climate change agreements arising from the United Nations conference just wrapped-up in Paris.

The co-author of “Climate Code Red” voiced his displeasure in a Victoria Climate Action Network discussion group.  

He said:

“So a bunch of voluntary and unenforceable national commitments consistent with 3C of  warming were wrapped up in red ribbon, and words but no actions about 1.5C were added in to placate a bunch of nations whilst they were totally done over on loss and damage, human rights language and financing (voluntary and no review for 10 years!) and the deal sold as a Great Leap Forward. Am I missing something?

“It's good that there is recognition that 2C is far from safe but the new meme seems to be "2C bad, 1.5C good". Which has no basis in scientific fact, given that the West Antarctic has already passed tipping points (in the absence of strong global cooling) for many metres if sea level rise, as just one example.

I find it hard to disagree with Nick Dearden' the director of Global Justice Now:

"The Paris negotiators are caught up in a frenzy of self-congratulation about 1.5 degrees being included in the agreement, but the reality is that the reductions on the table are still locking us into 3 degrees of global warming. This will have catastrophic impacts on some of the most vulnerable countries and communities. “And yet the deal seems to be shifting more responsibility on those countries who are least responsible for the problem, and the finance that has been agreed on is just a fraction of what is broadly agreed is necessary for those countries to cope with the impacts of climate catastrophe. The bullying and arm twisting of rich countries, combined with the pressure to agree to a deal at all costs, has ensured that the agreement will prevent poor countries from seeking redress for the devastating impacts of a crisis that has been thrust upon them.

"What has been inspiring in Paris is the multitude of action on climate being taken by a huge cross section of global civil society, from small farmers, to indigenous people, to trade unions, to direct action groups. As politicians fail to respond to the crisis, people power is stepping up to meet the challenge."

Spratt ends by quoting newspaper columnist George Monbiot, who said: “By comparison to what it could have been, it’s a miracle. By comparison to what it should have been, it’s a disaster.”