We went to Egypt to cover the UN’s big climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh. Some good stuff got done – loss and damage fund – but some unfinished business was left unfinished. The path to hold global warming to 1.5 degrees is practically non-existent as there were no new agreements on reductions. But while it’s easy to be cynical about such large international gatherings, we’re all likely better off having such annual meetings than doing away with them. The pressure-cooker situation of putting all the delegations together and keeping them there until they agree on something can be quite effective. The conference area was predictably sterile, however, outside the resort the scenery is quite stunning. The desert is bleak and practically uninhabitable but the shoreline is rich in sea life. It’s remarkable that just a few metres offshore it’s another, beautiful colourful world.
