The Paris climate summit is a real test of humanity

(guardian---commentary_blog, 29 Nov 2015) The best and worst in our natures are rising to meet a critical point in our history, but there is no cause for despair.

T his morning I visited the place de la République, in many ways the beating heart of Paris . It’s where people here chose to place their memorial to the victims of the attacks two weeks ago, and there is still a huge crowd, gathered round the central monument in intense, almost ritual silence, taking in the thousands of pictures, candles, flowers and messages left by wellwishers.

Just a few steps away, a different ritual was taking place. Thousands of Parisians, denied by police security concerns the chance to hold what might have been the largest single climate change march in history, are bringing their shoes, one by one, to be lined up symbolically along a march route through République. An eloquent expression of their determination to be heard.

The experience of République was emotional for me. You have the sense that history is happening here, that this time and place is a crucible in our journey as humanity, and that the best and the worst in our natures are rising to meet it. It is a test of who we are. And from the tiniest actions of an old woman bringing a pair of shoes, to the grandest of the largest climate summit in history, we human beings are deciding where we stand on ourselves, on our future.

External link

guardian---commentary_blog, 29 Nov 2015: The Paris climate summit is a real test of humanity