Nothing quite like a rap on the knuckles from Mother Nature to put us in our place. It snowed at Copenhagen, it's snowing all over Italy and Spain and the East coast of America. It turns out that it was too cold for the electric trains which go through the channel tunnel. Being stuck for hours under the ocean with no light or water must be a fairly shocking experience. Being told we have to do something about warming must make it into a farce. Flights were no better - my other half's flight from Heathrow to Rome was delayed seven hours.
In the interests of rational debate I must mention that this bitterly cold snap doesn't mean that the case for anthropogenic global warming has failed. What it does mean is that it is going to be a little more difficult to persuade the public. They will not have been impressed hearing Ed Milliband describe people who disagreed with him on climate change as 'saboteurs', or Gordon Brown describing them as 'flat earthers'. Our leaders must get less hysterical, acknowledge their mistakes, accept that a majority of the public think they may be wrong, and try to persuade them.
We will not accept the massive sacrifices envisaged (but not agreed) at Copenhagen unless we are sure. Representatives of the people, like Mr. Milliband, unless they can persuade us of their case, must be just that: representative.
PS It's Ed Milliband's 40th birthday on Christmas Eve. Send him a couple of ice cubes - they probably won't melt in the post.
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