YOUR TURN: Future depends on beating climate crisis Sheila Place, Guest Columnist

 

YOUR TURN: Future depends on beating climate crisis

Sheila Place, Guest Columnist

Published Nov 28, 2021 

For the second time in a little over two weeks, the tornado warning sounded, and I went down to the lower level with my lantern and my cell phone, so I could keep track of the frightening climate event threatening overhead, hoping there was enough charge in my phone for whatever was approaching.

In the next day or two I would learn there had been eight tornadoes in the Northeast from Long Island to Connecticut and Rhode Island, sparing Cape Cod, barely.  This, on the last day of the Glasgow Summit, COP 26, the results of which left everyone unhappy with pledges that don’t meet the moment.

A climate activist for over 20 years, I have given up wondering, “What will it take to wake us up?”  Clearly a lot more and worse, is headed our way, and there’s the sobering thought that maybe we’re too late.

The other day, I listened to two young voices, struggling to understand what this means for their future. One, a college senior, is pretty sure she won’t have children, and wonders why she is spending time and money acquiring an education she may not be able to use. The other one has quit college for now to devote herself full time to youth activism, hoping to have an impact on this devastating climate crisis. 

She has not given up, and has hope for her future. I fear my climate hero, Greta Thunberg, has given up, when her response to the Glasgow summit is, “Blah, blah, blah.”

We Americans are responsible for almost one-quarter of all planet warming emissions, and yet, we represent just a little over 4% of the global population.  It’s clear that, for a variety of reasons, we can’t look solely to leadership, in our country or globally.  There’s too much greed and power at work preventing substantive progress at the national level, but action at the state level in some states — Massachusetts is an example — gives me reason for hope. 

If you live in an island community in the Pacific or on top of melting permafrost, do you have much hope?  Probably not. How can we not modify our life styles in the face of such a threat?  

The majority of people in this country believe the earth is heating up and human activity is responsible. That’s progress from just a few years ago, but acknowledging the reality doesn’t move the temperature needle down.  It is going to take every one of us to do what we can. 

Sheila Place lives in Yarmouth Port.

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: New map spurs South Coast separation anxiety

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO — There’s a battle brewing over a plan to separate Fall River and New Bedford into two congressional districts, one that’s pitting congressman against congressman, state legislator against state legislator and potentially even mayor against mayor. Fall River is currently split roughly in half between Rep. Jake Auchincloss’s 4th District and Rep. Bill Keating’s 9th District. New Bedford is completely in the 9th. Under the redistricting map introduced this week, Fall River would be reunited in Auchincloss’s district. New Bedford, just 15 miles away, would remain in Keating’s district. “What’s being proposed is plain and simple an act of gerrymandering,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell told me. “It comes to the detriment, frankly, of the interests of New Bedford and southeastern Massachusetts.” But state Rep. Carole Fiola , a Fall River lawmaker who’s on the redistricting committee, called the map a win-win for her city. “We finally had an opportunity to be whole,” Fiola told me. “The proposed map shows we’re the largest city or town in the district. That’s a great thing for Fall River. We are now not going to be overshadowed by anything.” Here’s how the battle lines are being drawn: One on side there’s Mitchell, Keating, former 4th District Rep. Joe Kennedy III; state Sens. Mark Montigny of New Bedford, Michael Rodrigues, whose Senate district includes Fall River, and Julian Cyr, who’s on the redistricting committee; state Rep. Alan Silvia of Fall River, and advocates including the Drawing Democracy Coalition and NAACP New Bedford. They’ve expressed concerns about further dividing two working-class cities with significant immigrant communities that have shared interests from the fishing industry to offshore wind. Keating told me it’s “outrageous” to split the region’s two Gateway City anchors. “The voices of these communities should be amplified as much as possible,” he said, calling the idea of separating them so “shocking … I don’t think anyone even contemplated it would be done.” But Fiola said Fall River has its own priorities to fight for. Auchincloss said in a statement earlier this week he’s “thrilled” to have Fall River fully in his district (it certainly helps him politically). Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said in a July redistricting committee hearing that having two congressional representatives “is not a negative thing” and that he doesn’t want to “lose” Auchincloss. Keeping the status quo has some appeal. “I just don’t see the downfall to having two congressmen” represent Fall River, state Rep. Christopher Markey, whose district includes New Bedford, told me. “Having a congressman who has a connection to both [cities] is helpful.” This all makes for a potentially contentious public hearing Tuesday on the proposed redraw. Assistant House Majority Leader Mike Moran, who co-leads the redistricting effort, believes “this was the most fair” map given the region’s geography and census numbers. Still, he said, “we’ll see what happens." GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend! TODAY — State Sen. Eric Lesser hosts a noon “Lunchtime Livestream” with state Auditor Suzanne Bump to discuss her public infrastructure report on western Massachusetts. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey provides an update on the city’s Covid-19 response at 12:15 p.m. at City Hall. THIS WEEKEND — Auchincloss hosts a veterans’ town hall with state Rep. Brian Murray at 1 p.m. in Milford. Outgoing Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone talks municipal elections and his 18 years in office on WBZ’s “Keller at Large,” 8:30 a.m., Sunday. Gov. Charlie Baker is this week’s guest on WCVB’s “On the Record,” 11 a.m., Sunday. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN GREENING GLASGOW — Sen. Ed Markey is heading to Glasgow to promote President Joe Biden’s climate agenda at the United Nations’ COP26 summit. I caught up with him before the trip. Here are some of the highlights: What are your goals in Glasgow? To assure all of the global leaders who are there that we will pass the legislation which leads to a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by the year 2030. … The world should not be concerned when they look back at our political system that the $555 billion for climate [and clean-energy investments in Biden’s Build Back Better plan] may fail. It will not fail, we will get that job done. There have been some big goals already announced at the summit, like ending deforestation by 2030. Are these goals achievable? These goals are achievable, but only if the United States and Europe lead, and that we invent the technologies and show that we are going to reduce our emissions in those critical areas. You’re selling Biden’s climate goals to the world. How do you also sell them to Americans? It’s going to create millions of new jobs in the United States and it will make it possible for us to begin to be the leader in this sector, and not just allow China to continue to be the dominant producer of all of these technologies. – “Kerry Spouts Optimism About Global Action From UN Climate Change Summit,” by Greater Boston staff, GBH News: “Former Secretary of State Kerry spoke enthusiastically about the market shifts that are greening the global economy and commitments from countries that previously haven't been ‘at the table.’ But Dr. Vanessa Kerry, director of the Global Public Policy and Social Change program at Harvard Medical School as well as Sec. Kerry’s daughter, pointed out that global health — which is threatened by the changing climate through its impact on food, water, sanitation and shelter — has been largely left off of the agenda.” – “Baker on Hydro Corridor: 'I Don’t See It As Dead',” by Chris Lisinski and Colin A. Young, State House News Service (paywall): “Two days after Maine voters dealt a blow to the future of transmission lines that could deliver nearly a fifth of the electricity demand in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker said he does not believe the project is outright doomed but signaled his team is still determining how to proceed.” THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts coronavirus cases increase by 1,586 as vax rate hits 71%,” by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald. – “Massachusetts schools report 1,879 students, 339 staffers with COVID over two week period,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive. – "Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts," by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe. DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Speaker Mariano Wants To Save Local Hospitals. Stronger Oversight Over Health Care Chains’ Expansion Is How He Wants To Do It,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “Later this month, [House Speaker Ron] Mariano plans to bring a bill to the House floor that would require the Department of Public Health to consider the cost and market impact of any medical provider expansion that requires new state licensing. By limiting unchecked growth of hospital chains and provider networks opening outpatient facilities and ‘ambulatory surgery centers,’ Mariano believes that community hospitals will be better suited to survive in the changing health care market.” – Move over, state dinosaur: “Students work to make salamander state amphibian,” by Madeline Hughes, Eagle-Tribune: “First, members of the Andover Animal Advocates Destination Imagination team identified all of the endangered species in Andover. Then they spread the word about the 29 species. Now, they’re trying to protect one of those animals, working with state Rep. Tram Nguyen, D-Andover, on a law to make the blue-spotted salamander Massachusetts’ state amphibian.” MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER – “As Guv OKs New Districts, Galvin Warns of Chaos,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “New political boundaries for the Massachusetts House and Senate became official Thursday as Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law the Legislature's redistricting proposals, much to the dismay of the state's top elections official, who voiced concerns about ‘chaos’ in split precincts. Shortly before Baker's office confirmed that he signed bills ... Secretary of State William Galvin said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ the governor approved the legislation.” VAX-ACHUSETTS – “Where — and how — to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for kids 5-11 in Massachusetts,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration announced Thursday that parents can now make vaccination appointments for children aged 5-11 at over 500 locations in Massachusetts. The options range from pediatricians’ offices to pharmacies to community health centers to hospitals to local state-sponsored clinics.” – “Sec. Walsh on new federal vaccine rules and penalties for non-compliant businesses,” by Amna Nawaz and Courtney Norris, PBS: “The Biden administration on Wednesday spelled out how it will require private businesses to ensure employees get vaccinated against COVID-19, or submit to regular testing. The rule, which would go into effect Jan. 4, impacts some 84 million private sector workers.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – “How Michelle Wu won the Boston mayoral election: Five takeaways from the precinct-level results,” by Christina Prignano and Andrew Ryan, Boston Globe: “Wu won every single precinct that in September’s preliminary election had been carried by Acting Mayor Kim Janey, City Councilor Andrea Campbell, and the city’s former economic chief, John Barros. Wu even won 10 precincts in which Essaibi George had placed first in September. That growth gave Wu the highest vote total of any mayoral candidate in nearly 40 years.” – “Wu replicates the Menino margin and map,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “In unofficial results from Tuesday’s election, [Michelle] Wu captured 64 percent of the vote to Annissa Essaibi George’s 36 percent. That’s exactly the same margin by which [Tom] Menino beat Dorchester state rep Jim Brett in the 1993 race. What’s more, Wu dominated the city geographically in a way nearly identical to Menino." – WALSH WEIGHS IN: Marty Walsh outed Wu’s mayoral bid some 400-plus days ago and was known to butt heads with the city councilor during his time as mayor. But the current labor secretary lauded the mayor-elect for her “brilliant campaign” during an appearance on CNN last night. “I talked to her yesterday and I offered my support to her. … It’s a great city to be mayor of and I wish Michelle all the luck in the world.” – From the opinion pages: “Is Boston more progressive or more apathetic?” by Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe: “...for all the talk of the most transformational election in the city’s history, less than a third of eligible voters turned up. Cheryl Crawford, executive director of MassVOTE, a nonpartisan group that works to increase voter participation, was disappointed that the turnout wasn’t as historic as the result. … While Bill Galvin, the Massachusetts secretary of state, shares Crawford’s frustration over turnout, he also saw some evidence suggesting Wu inspired more voters to get off their duffs and get to the polls or mail in a ballot.” WU TRAIN – “Wu cites priorities, reflects on new reality in first sit-down since Tuesday’s win,” by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: “Mayor-elect Michelle Wu said Thursday that the appointment of a Cabinet chief to oversee the opioid epidemic at Mass. and Cass will be one of her first priorities, and that she will roll up her sleeves to fix Boston public schools, as she reflected on her new reality as the city’s chief executive. … Wu said she expects to name leaders of her transition team in the coming days. And on Thursday, she launched an official transition website, AllAboardBoston.com, recruiting residents to be part of her administration.” – “Wu Raises Concerns About Mass. And Cass Evictions Process, But Makes No Policy Promises,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “Boston Mayor-elect Michelle Wu acknowledged concerns Thursday about the city's process for evicting people from tents around Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue, saying ‘from what I can tell, there are changes and improvements that are needed in terms of how we could better connect every individual to services and housing.’ But she said she is not ready to commit yet to any specific policy changes. ” FROM THE HUB – “Boston Public Schools principal unconscious for ‘at least’ 4 minutes after beating: police report,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Alexi Cohan and Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “A Dorchester school remains closed after the principal was pummeled in a shocking beating that left her unconscious for ‘at least’ 4 minutes in what’s being called an ‘unacceptable’ attack during a rise of violence against educators.” – “Police in schools? Michelle Wu’s still a ‘no’ after attack on Boston principal,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The brutal assault on a Boston Public Schools principal hasn’t changed Mayor-elect Michelle Wu’s mind: She still doesn’t want police in schools.” TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Attorney General Maura Healey and UNITE HERE Local 26 are endorsing Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards in her state Senate bid. Healey and Local 26 will join Edwards for a canvass kickoff at 10 a.m. Saturday at LoPresti Park in East Boston. FEELING '22 – “‘The elephant in the room’: Everyone is still waiting to hear Charlie Baker’s reelection decision,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Donors and activists gathered with Governor Charlie Baker for a fund-raiser last week at a Millbury eatery, dining on risotto balls and other Italian appetizers. But they were also looking for bread crumbs. Does Baker, who’s now served longer than any of his modern Republican predecessors, intend to seek a third term? When will he decide?” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “Columbus Avenue bus routes have first center-running lane in New England,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Riders of the 22, 29 and 44 buses, some of the most well-traveled bus routes on the MBTA, will shave up to 7 minutes off their daily commutes due to the first center-running bus lanes in New England.” WARREN REPORT – “Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet's Next Target: ‘Zombie’ Campaigns,” by Roger Sollenberger, Daily Beast: “Two Democrats Senators, Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), are introducing legislation this Thursday that would outlaw so-called ‘zombie’ campaign accounts for any politician who does not file for the next election six months after they leave office—and would require any former politician who wishes to register as a lobbyist to shut down their campaign account immediately.” FROM THE 413 – “Activists protest Eversource’s planned Springfield pipeline,” by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The pipeline would be a significant expansion of the region’s fossil fuel infrastructure after state lawmakers passed a climate law earlier this year that requires the state to halve its carbon emissions by the end of the decade and become carbon neutral by 2050.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “He resigned as a teacher in Braintree after being photographed at the Capitol riot. Now he’s on the school committee,” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “Matthew Lynch was a teacher in Braintree schools until he resigned after photos surfaced of him at the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt by supporters of former President Donald Trump at the Capitol. Now, Lynch has been elected to the city’s school committee. Of the three people elected to the Braintree school board, Matthew Lynch was the second highest vote getter, garnering 2,319 votes.” – “Snowplow drivers wanted in Mass. this winter; some towns offering up to $155 per hour,” by Travis Andersen and Angela Yang, Boston Globe: “Got a backhoe and a hankering to plow Worcester streets this winter? You could rake in $145 an hour, a rate that’ll spike by $10 if the snow’s cleared before Dec. 1 or after April 1. … Even as they up wages in hopes of attracting willing plowers, Massachusetts towns are feeling anxious about the winter. Jim Stanford, North Andover’s director of public works, said this year’s hiring challenges are probably the worst he’s seen in more than 30 years of working in the field.” – “Elderly landlord says top Holbrook official used COVID eviction ban to avoid paying rent,” by Kathy Curran and Jon Wells, WCVB: “A man without a soul. That’s what an elderly landlord is calling one town's top elected official. They wonder why that man, the chair of the select board in Holbrook, and his wife, also a town employee, have not paid almost thousands of dollars in rent to them and question their now-former tenants’ use of COVID-19 eviction moratorium protections last year.” – “WPI students urge action in wake of recent campus deaths, 2 by suicide,” by Anoushka Dalmia, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “The atmosphere at Worcester Polytechnic Institute has been somber, sad, confused and angry after another student death occurred earlier this week, the fourth one this year, at least two of whom died by suicide. ‘A lot of people are very angry with the current administration, and how things are being run,’ said senior Jackson Baker.” MEDIA MATTERS – “Why Boston TV anchor Latoyia Edwards now wears braids on the morning news,” by Latoyia Edwards for the Boston Globe: “For years, I had straightened my hair as a news anchor at NBC10 Boston and other television stations, an arduous process I believed was an unwritten necessity for Black, female news anchors. This year, I decided it was time — beyond time — to wear my hair the way it feels right to me.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to James Melcher, Jeremy Ravinsky, Steven Bachner, Richard Parker, Alyssa Stone and Meryl Holt Silverman. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Joe Tutino and Cindy Rowe, who celebrate Sunday. HORSE RACE ALERT: ELECTION RODEO — Hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Lisa Kashinsky dive in to Boston’s municipal election results and round up mayor's races from across the state. MassINC's Rich Parr joins to talk about the notable elections in western Massachusetts. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.       Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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HOLBROOK, Mass. —

A man without a soul.

That’s what an elderly landlord is calling one town's top elected official. They wonder why that man, the chair of the select board in Holbrook, and his wife, also a town employee, have not paid almost thousands of dollars in rent to them and question their now-former tenants’ use of COVID-19 eviction moratorium protections last year.

Eviction moratorium protections were meant to help people financially impacted by the virus by preventing them from becoming homeless. Tens of thousands of eviction cases have been filed across the state, but this case involves two renters who records show have been gainfully employed throughout the pandemic.

Daniel Lee is an equipment operator for the Holbrook Department of Public Works, but he is also the chair of the Holbrook Select Board as well as the town’s board of assessors. His wife, Brenda Stapleton Lee. is Holbrook’s assistant collector

WCVB

Brenda & Daniel Lee

Lee and his wife are now under fire for not paying thousands of dollars in rent to their landlords, Michaele Rodgers and her husband, while living in their rental property at 39 Kalmia Rd. in Holbrook. Through the end of last year, housing court records had the amount of unpaid rent at $10,200, but Rodgers’ lawyer said this year the amount of back rent owed to his clients grew significantly.

"They don't have any souls, or hearts, because they're taking advantage of us, they really are," Rodgers said. "It's very stressful because we can't go anywhere and do anything. All our money is tied up. It's, you know, it's just pay out, just keep paying out and paying out."

WCVB

Landlord Michaele Rodgers

Rodgers has had sleepless nights worrying about her finances. She and her husband are both retired, living on a fixed income. They blame the Lees and the thousands of dollars in unpaid rent for all that stress.

In October 2020 Lee and his wife sent her signed forms claiming they were protected from eviction under the CDC's eviction moratorium.

“He said, ‘I don't have to pay anymore. I've got proof that I don't have to pay because I qualify for aid’,” Rodgers said

Attorney Jeff Turk specializes in landlord-tenant issues. "I think the purpose of the law was to help people who are having an effect from COVID.”

WCVB

Housing attorney Jeff Turk

Turk said in order for tenants to get relief under the CDC's program they have to meet several requirements.

"You were required to show that you had income of less than one hundred ninety thousand dollars if you file jointly,” Turk said. “Number two, that you had an economic effect from COVID 19, some loss of income; that you had tried to pay your landlord what you could, based on your income; that you had applied for RAFT or rental assistance; and that you would be rendered homeless."

Records obtained by 5 Investigates show Daniel and Brenda Lee did not miss a paycheck from the town during the pandemic. Together they earned $109,430.50 in calendar year 2020.

During 2020 and this year, Rodgers and her husband received a few checks for the 1,275- dollar-a-month rent, but here were many months they didn't receive a dime. In 2020, the court even ordered the Lees to pay up and vacate the property by this past March. They initially agreed to leave, but then did not budge.

Meanwhile, for Rodgers, the bills to maintain the Kalmia Road rental property piled up. “It's been horrendous because I have my own house, my husband and I have our own house and I have all of the bills there and then all of the bills from Holbrook,” she said.

WCVB

Daniel & Brenda Lee’s new house

Town and land court records show where some of the Lees' money may have gone. In late September they moved into a newly built, $443,000 home a few miles away in Holbrook, leaving rent unpaid at Kalmia Road and a few more headaches for their landlord behind.

Rodgers inspected the Kalmia Rd. house right after the Lees moved out with a 5 Investigates camera in tow. They discovered falling ceiling tiles, a filthy bathroom, a hole in a door, and a few other needed repairs.

We asked her what she would have said to her tenants if she felt they truly could not afford to pay the rent.

"if there's anything you can give me, just give me something, Danny, because you’re dumping the whole load on me, and it's just not fair," Rodgers said. “That's a lot of money to you. It is a lot to me. Yes, if I was going to give away $20,000, it would be to my children or charity. It wouldn't be to Danny Lee who makes ample funds to support his family.”

The home the Lees built was almost fully mortgaged. Tenants can apply for rental assistance to pay landlords back rent if they qualify. The Lees have not paid up to this day, but a hearing on the case is on for tomorrow in housing court.

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RSN: FOCUS: Bill McKibben | As Biden Speaks in Glasgow, Manchin Muddles the Message

 

03 November 21

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FOCUS: Bill McKibben | As Biden Speaks in Glasgow, Manchin Muddles the Message
Bill McKibben, The New Yorker
McKibben writes: "Monday should have been a day of great triumph for America, marking its emergence from the Trump years."

Monday should have been a day of great triumph for America, marking its emergence from the Trump years.

Joe Biden, who had promised to come to the Glasgow climate summit with “bells on,” appeared to snooze for a moment as he sat listening to speeches at Monday’s session. It was a highly relatable interlude. An inescapable feeling of fatigue has settled in around the summit—barring some useful surprise, much of the air seems to have been sucked from this conclave before it began, not least because of the ongoing antics of Senator Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, whose influence was easy to feel even a (rising) ocean away.

The world arrived at the Paris climate meeting, six years ago, primed for action: recovering economies, a discernible beginning to a drop in the price of renewable energy, and a surge of activism around the globe meant that negotiators couldn’t really go home without having reached a groundbreaking agreement. But now that the time has come to strengthen that pact—and the whole point of this Glasgow conference is to get countries to substantially increase the commitments they made in Paris—conditions have changed. We have lived through the hottest years on record since Paris, but the pandemic has driven the climate and other crises out of the headlines, and sidelined (or, rather, Zoom-lined) movements calling for change. The world is also lurching through a cycle of illiberalism, and, although its hold has loosened in the United States, it has left figures such as India’s Narendra Modi and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro in positions of power. Modi is in Glasgow, and he announced on Monday that India would get to net zero by 2070—a half century from now. (Granted, meeting even that mark would mean that the country will have generated far less carbon in the course of history than the United States.) Bolsonaro is not attending, but, even as the Amazon region is being destroyed at an ever faster rate, Brazil’s representatives announced that the nation is “a longtime champion of the environmental agenda.” Xi Jinping, of China, and Vladimir Putin, of Russia, are also skipping the summit; on Monday, China submitted a written statement that basically just repeated its Paris pledges.

And the United States? This should have been a day of great triumph for America, marking its emergence from the Trump years—nothing the former President did caused as much international anger as withdrawing from the Paris accords, and Biden did apologize for that act. But, owing largely to Manchin, Biden arrived in Glasgow without the set of dramatic legislative victories that were supposed to unlock this conference. Manchin is currently the Senate’s leading recipient of donations from the fossil-fuel industry, and it is proving a sound investment. He stripped any real guarantees of carbon reduction from Biden’s Build Back Better plan, leaving in their place five hundred billion dollars to subsidize the construction of green energy. As Daniel Aldana Cohen, a professor of sociology at Berkeley who focusses on the climate, tweeted on Monday, the basic “economic theory is that half a percent of GDP will be enough of a thirst trap for green capital that private investors will overhaul the economy, guided by invisible hands.” And even that is no guarantee—Manchin, having promised “clarity” on his stance Monday morning, said a few hours later that he was “open to supporting a final bill that helps move our country forward. But I’m equally open to voting against a bill that hurts our country.” One imagines that the statement quickly made its way through the vast negotiating hall in Glasgow.

Manchin’s muddling is why Biden’s summit speech sounded fairly flat—it was full of talk about how his stripped-down plan would create jobs, but, in the middle of a labor shortage, that’s not the most compelling selling point. A large cast of American advisers accompanied the President to Glasgow, and they did their best to sell the plan—Gina McCarthy, the Administration’s domestic climate czar, said that America was “kicking butt” on offshore wind, for instance. America’s chief climate envoy, John Kerry, was perhaps more accurate. A month ago, he called the Glasgow conference the planet’s “last, best hope”; now he said that “Glasgow was never going to be, you know, the definitive one meeting.”

And, of course, he’s right. This is a huge war fought on many fronts, and on some of them responsible leaders are on the offensive. The price of renewable energy is now in such free fall that it’s clear how the energy future will eventually play out; what’s not clear is how fast it will happen. Activists are back on the streets, too late perhaps to change the outcome of this session but with a passion that should worry the big banks and asset managers who are increasingly the target of their efforts. It’s still possible that some startling new development could emerge to revitalize this conference. But, for the moment, although the power of Big Oil is much weakened, it isn’t broken, and that means that the thirty-year slog toward rational climate policy will have to plod on.

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