EU To Toss Out Climate Pledge For U.S. Trade Deal

The EU is preparing to negotiate two trade agreements with the US, contrary to pledges to only strike deals with countries committed to the Paris Agreement.

A committee of the European Parliament on Tuesday endorsed opening talks. The move flies in the face of European moves to integrate trade and climate action. —Climate Home News, 20 February 2019

The White House is working to assemble a panel to assess whether climate change poses a national security threat, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. The proposed Presidential Committee on Climate Security, which would be established by executive order, is being spearheaded by William Happer, a National Security Council senior director. —The Washington Post, 20 February 2019

The ‘metropolitan elite’ (sorry, I can’t think of a better term to use) is disorientated by Brexit, Trump, and populism. They sense that their appeal to the general population is evaporating and their control over hearts and minds is tenuous and fleeting. The old loyalty to political parties is disintegrating and the ‘elite’ feel unable to connect with the general public. They have now found a new constituency – in children. By representing children, they gain moral authority and their new constituency is dependant upon their leadership. —Andy Shaw, Worth Fighting For, 16 February 2019

Emotional appeals are replacing political discussion and debate. Protecting children is one of the strongest instincts we have. Using children to advance the climate agenda has a powerful appeal. We feel morally obliged to support it. Interestingly, it shows that ‘the establishment’ is unconsciously aware that rational appeals to adults are not working and they are falling back on emotional appeals via children. —Andy Shaw, Worth Fighting For, 16 February 2019

The idea that “there is no time to argue” is fundamentally anti-democratic because democracy is about disagreement not agreement. The very premise of the Green New Deal is that there’s no time to argue, and that gives the state mob-like power. —Jonah Goldberg, National Review, 19 February 2019