Tilting at windmills?

Attacking imaginary enemies is the literal translation to the age-old expression. When wanting to slay what he saw as his large looming enemies, Don Quixote was told: “Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone.” There are some who see today’s giant wind turbines as enemies and want to bring them down. Some oppose any attempt to turn from fossil fuels to renewable energy.  Let’s embrace the innovations – new approaches to renewable energy and clean tech – which are all around us. Maybe that’s the same thing which is stopping some nations from working towards a global agreement to cut emissions. They see change and renewal as too risky. An enemy of the economy? Inhibiting growth? We report on the final day of the UNFCCC meeting in Doha – ever hoping there would be a last minute meeting of minds. Maybe with such slow progress or no progress at all, the whole UN climate change “multilateral” emissions-reduction attempt should be scrapped. There has to be a better way. Fortunately, many big businesses the world over – and some countries, too – are agreeing to turn the tide to a future that will benefit all.  Burying your head in the sand – pretending things are not as bad as they really are or refusing to admit what’s already plain to see – is no longer an option. Not unlike tilting at windmills. Imagined enemies. Attacking the scientists and advocates who are the messengers of climate change impacts. Let’s deal with the real enemies and mend our ways. – Ken Hickson

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