"When these capitalist gods of carbon burp and belch their dangerous emissions, it's we, the lesser mortals of the developing sphere who gasp and sink and eventually die." Robert Mugabe at the Copenhagen Global Climate summit.
Robert Mugabe mostly talks nonsense and this time is no different but his description is a gem in terms of common convention on climate change. Ironically, he strikes at the heart of his friend and saviour China, who is the undisputed pollution champion of the world. However, this is not a serious problem because his words, quoted out of context, remains an ideal populist tool in the armor of the bunny-huggers, beggars, leeches and spongers.
Be it as it may, the reactions in general, and those from South African in particular, to the so-called Copenhagen accord, does not fail to leave those who can think with a sense of bemusement, and as in so many other cases, a feeling of deep distrust in anything our leaders say and do.
Once again, and not surprisingly, we have two diametrically opposed positions on an issue. Jacob Zuma, we are told, duly signed a meaningless agreement, reportedly worth less than the paper it is written on, at the behest of our newfound friend and fellow arch-polluter, China. That’s right, the same friend that asked their beneficiary, Zuma and the ANC, to ban the publicity seeking Dalai Lama from African soil.
A coup for the Chinese
America and South Africa agreeing to the deal was a coup for the Chinese. Because of the glass houses Obama and Zuma live in, they were too happy to pander to the China stance, knowing full well that they will, in any case, continue to do as they please and carry on with pollution as in the past; for different reasons obviously.
America will carry on making gas guzzling cars and Zuma, as is his wont, can stick to the Eskom plan for more coal fired power stations – ensuring the obligatory kickbacks associated with these type of deals, probably signed and sealed, are not compromised by a bunch of silly bunny-huggers.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica – the same one that destroyed the mining industry’s environmental zeal during her illustrious reign as Minister of Mines (having been told by the nimble ANC spin doctors that the “Big Zuma Environmental Moment” turned out to be a bit of an Albatross, of the around-the-neck variety) - did a typical, and now famous, ANC about turn.
Sonjica, in what could become a world shaping statement, without a shadow of shame or qualm, distanced South Africa from this foul agreement so proudly signed and defended by the great Zuma, and declared the agreement a crock of sh*t and a disgrace to humanity.
Another proud and hilarious moment in the history of our country.
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