Climate change: Killing our world with indifference

That US president Donald Trump seems to have been energised by the opprobrium expressed over his ambivalence on racism is another indication of his lack of character. 

His tacit support for dark, evil forces is of great value in one context, though — it reminds America and the world of how bad things might be, or once were, before values, loosely described as the universal rights of man, shaped the West.

Mr Trump’s ambiguity on racism is, however, far from his greatest crime — his refusal to work with the civilised world on climate change is. In selfish terms, his indulgence of the Neanderthals is essentially an American problem. However, his willful ignorance on climate, and that his position is driven by the extractive industries — “drill, baby, drill”, as his supporters chant — is a far greater threat to humanity than his saber-rattling with North Korea.