And no plan B.
In response to the failure of Copenhagen’s climate talks, an editorial writer at Spiegel bemoans humanity:
Copenhagen’s collapse merely confirms the opinion of those who view climate change as some pipe dream of scientists, left-wing politicians and the panic-fomenting media. And it also confirms the position of all those who believe that humanity is simply incapable of finding a solution for a threat like climate change through multi-lateral, collective efforts.
And AFP gives the news:
What many had hoped would be a planet-saving treaty locking major economies into strong commitments to shrink their carbon footprints came out as a three-page political accord with key numbers yet to be filled in. . . . The Nobel-winning UN science panel warned in a benchmark 2007 report that if average temperatures increase by more than 2.0 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on pre-industrial levels, it could lead to runaway climate change and severe impact. We have already travelled 0.7 C along that path. More recent studies suggest the planet could hot up by a devastating 6.0 C (10.8 F), and that sea levels could rise by more than a metre (3.25 feet) by 2100 unless we slash CO2 concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere. Such a hothouse scenario would create hundreds of millions of environmental refugees.
So there it is. Business as usual. Every man for himself. No looking ahead. Welcome to Vanity Fair.
Prometheus Unbound 