Climate change: should we leave it to the technocrats?

Ann Pettifor  3rd December, 2009

Are commentators right to blame politicians for inaction? Or is acting on climate change the responsibility of civil society...

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs has a piece in the Guardian today, calling on politicians to stop posturing, and for climate change negotiations to be a ‘true discussion’ between ‘scientists, engineers and ordinary citizens.’

He is understandably frustrated by the failure of politicians to get to grips with climate change’s impending threat to civilisation.

I would turn his argument on its head, and blame civil society – that is, ‘ordinary citizens’.

Here’s why:

We know politicians find it hard act in a principled way. They’re always looking over their shoulders at their electorate - checking for signs of approval/disapproval. Quite rightly. It’ s called democracy. It’s hard for them to act – or deliver - without clear mandates. And we the people have failed to give politicians a clear mandate.

We have let them off the hook.

Our ‘asks’ have been woolly. Like: ‘Save the planet’. Yes, but how precisely? ‘350 parts per million CO2’. What are politicians like Australia’s Prime Minister expected to do with that command? ‘Stop Climate Chaos’: yes, but who should do it, how and by when? When we come together on Saturday and ‘Wave’ – what exactly will we be asking politicians to do? And if I don’t know – how can they be expected to know, and deliver?

Operation Noah tried to find a clear mandate to guide politicians. Our ‘ask’ for the 90 world leaders representing a kaleidoscope of nations at Copenhagen is clear. Go for the sector that emits one third of all green house gases – the easily identifiable power station sector. It’s already regulated, inspected and policed. Now, cut power station emissions in rich countries around the world by 80% by 2020 (relative to 2007); and down to zero by 2030. For more on this read our policy briefing 'The Ark Campaign Ask and Science'.

That’s a straightforward and clear directive. Armed with this mandate, it let’s us pressure them, shine a light on their decision-making, track their moves and see what they do.

But it will only work if politicians have a mandate. And that’s up to us.