Recently, climate protesters in the UK have made a lot of strange news.
In August, protesters poured into the streets of London in recent days, blocking the intersections of busy sections. Protesters gathered near Trafalgar Square in the city center, some lying under cars blocking their tires, some climbing up buildings to hang banners, and others marching in groups to beat drums or dress in fancy dress.
In October, another protester blocked the M25 motorway that surrounds London, holding signs in protest, causing traffic congestion in the morning rush hour and serious quarrels with a group of car owners. Drivers dragged the protesters off the road, but they quickly returned and continued to sit on the road to demonstrate. The drivers were furious, honking their horns and even saying they were going to drive past the protesters.
On the 25th, another group of climate protesters appeared on the streets of London in the morning rush hour. This time, in order to ensure that they were not dragged away, they even used glue to stand on the ground or glue each other together.
When the police arrived, they melted the glue with solvent before taking the protesters away. According to police reports, a total of 53 people were eventually arrested for obstructing traffic.
In September, the Uk government unveiled a ban specifically warning these climate change protesters that they could be jailed if they continue to obstruct road traffic.
In recent weeks, however, hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested for blocking roads. It does not appear that the warnings have had much effect on the protesters.
Over the past period, the UK government's response to climate change has not been very satisfactory. Early next month, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) will be held in Glasgow, UK.
As the organizer, it is natural to show a corresponding attitude.
So on October 19, local time, the British government hastened to announce its latest "net zero strategy", saying that it is trying to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the next 30 years and strive to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
The Johnson administration appears to be confident in this new strategy. The British media also carried chicken blood, and even asked China's special envoy for climate change, Xie Zhenhua: "Will the UK's new net zero strategy encourage China to achieve the double carbon target earlier?" ”
Xie Zhenhua responded: "China's actions do not need British incentives. ”
Looking at the protesters who took to the streets during this time, how well the British government is responding to climate change, do you have no points in mind?
The British government pinched its nose and coaxed its eyes, and the Guardian came to punch it in the face.
On October 25, the Guardian published a finding, saying that since 2019, British Prime Minister Johnson's Conservative Party and its members of parliament have received about 1.3 million pounds (about 11.42 million yuan) of political donations and gifts from oil companies, think tanks that hold a "climate change skepticism" view and other related interest groups.
The Guardian said the findings confirmed the close ties between some members of Parliament and fossil fuel-related interest groups, which is also an "old tradition" of the Conservative Party.
In addition, the report also said that although Johnson has announced his latest "net zero strategy" on the 19th, critics believe that there is a clear contradiction between the British government's support for the extraction of fossil fuel resources in the North Sea, airport and road construction, and plans to build new thermal power plants.
No wonder environmental protesters take to the streets every day, and the legislation is useless.
While shouting about energy conservation and emission reduction, while collecting political donations from high-carbon emission industries, the most powerful thing is to "lead by example" and "inspire China". This is really to use strength to explain to people, what is called "all istility in the mouth, and all business in the heart".
Energy conservation and emission reduction are not made by mouth cannons.
In this regard, Zhao Yingmin, vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said: "China always uses practical actions to fulfill its promises, so that we can even do better than promised." We hope that all developed countries will live up to their word. ”
Environmental protection is not bad, but it cannot become an empty slogan, or even a slogan for profit. When the West opens its mouth to accuse China, it bothers to look in the mirror and look at itself. (Liu Yue)