Why politicians are the worst people to tackle climate change

Here’s the dilemma. A politician has a natural body-clock. Every four years, perhaps sooner, a klaxon goes off announcing the next general election. Everything then synchs to that timeframe: decisions are reached, budgets are announced, campaigns launched, and results paraded in front of a grateful/resentful [delete according to political view] public. Their world calibrates to that cycle, and, if the politician is successful, the four-year unit becomes a building block on which longer, more thoughtful plans can be realised. If unsuccessful, they are placed outside, with the brief to undo the plans of the fresh-faced incumbent. Are these really the best people to lead in one of the most important challenges of our times: climate change?

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