This is a speech I gave at the UKELA annual conference 2021. In summary, I argue that the rule of law will not long survive a failure to maintain the ecological foundations of the economy. The climate is the foundation in the most imminent danger. The ecological foundations of the […]
Should the government be charging in on climate change commitments? – Times Radio
Mobilising the Public
A CLIMATE OF TRUST
The core argument of this lecture is that failure of climate change policy represents an existential threat to civilisation that will destroy the foundations of trust on which democracy depends. Climate change is a unique problem in human history. Climate policy success demands the local, national and geo-political cooperation that […]
ET TU BRUTE
Assassination is rare in Britain. But do not doubt that the political knife slipped into Boris Johnson’s back was anything other than a carefully crafted assassination. It began, supposedly, with a leak. Mr Gove’s wife, Daily Mail journalist, Sarah Vine, e-mailed her husband. The e-mail urged him […]
Energy Transition Commission – some considerations
Shell and McKinsey have just launched a global initiative called the Energy Transition Commission. Doubts have been raised about whether the Commission as currently constructed has the integrity to make a positive contribution to the debate on how to keep the climate safe. There is a risk that this […]
TROUBLE AHEAD
STANDING OUR GROUND
OPENING STATEMENT OF MR TOM BURKE CBE TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRATIC ENGAGEMENT
I am giving evidence to the Independent Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement this afternoon. A diverse coalition of prominent charities, campaign groups, academics, think tanks and online networks has launched an independent Commission in response to concerns about the Government’s Lobbying Bill. The Commission on Civil Society […]