COPOUT: How governments have failed the people on climate: An insider’s view of Climate Change Conferences, from Paris to Dubai

by Nick Breeze

‘Wry and passionate first-hand observations from the global climate negotiations – essential for capturing the spirit of this endlessly frustrating struggle’ – Bill McKibben
Why, after thirty years of international climate negotiations to reduce carbon emissions, has the UN process failed to deliver a survivable outcome? Nick Breeze goes behind the scenes at the UN COPs, from Paris to Dubai, to find out what on Earth is going on

Most people tend to turn away, perhaps understandably, from the key existential issue of the climate change or, some would say more accurately, climate collapse. Nick Breeze tells the engaging, very human story of successive COP conferences over the past it is a tale of imperfection, failure even, but not yet defeat.

So far, the UN process has achieved almost the exact opposite of what it first set out to achieve at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Nick shows clearly that it is not Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil nor any other climate protesters who are the extremists; the true extremists are the policymakers who consistently undermine faltering efforts to reduce emissions. Repeatedly claiming to be saving us whilst allowing carbon emissions to continue rising, governments have failed their people on climate. Nick shows us how, why and what we can do about it.

The public remains largely uninformed about climate change and, for the most part, those who seek to draw attention to the issue are seen as ‘crazy’. There remains a terrifying gap between scientific reality and political action.

Packed with his own experiences and insights from expert interviewees, Nick’s page-turning account is less about the intricacies of the science and more about the mainstream perception of how we are understanding and responding to the problem.

Genres: Nonfiction

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2024

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting insight in the big climate conferences that have been happening for the past two, three decades. Most of us know they are a farce, greenwashing schemes are frankly, just wasting resources. The author gives his own account of some of the COPs he has visited and covered for his work. It's a nice perspective to read, a bit more "travel log" style, as opposed to most books I've read on these topics, which tend to be more on the scientific side.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
The world is burning and we are quite literally sleepwalking into a climate apocalypse. Nick Breeze’s first-hand insights into the failed COP conferences shine a catastrophic light on our government’s endless failures to protect our planet. It makes sobering reading.
The fight goes on…
4 stars.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent account of as-it-happens journalism, trekking through several years' worth of COP meetings from Paris through North Africa and Glasgow, showing us what happens, how it happens, and who happens.
From the pre-6am starts to late nights, two weeks of a conference with badges, access to various areas and media privileges are running efforts, catching up with friends only in the evening over a beer and a bite. But the journalists or climate scientists seen one year to the next become friends. The crowds worsen, the location of free coffee is valuable.
Our guide films interviews with leading climate scientists and asks why the science isn't getting written into the treaties and agreements. Asks what carbon neutral is going to look like, why Coca-Cola is giving away umpteen plastic bottles of its product although fresh fruit cannot be found, except at one stall which has tiny bananas.
David Attenborough represents the mature generation, but by the later years, Greta Thunberg and more young people just like her are representing those who will be taking climate action to the future.
Our journalist is surprised when someone thanks him, near the end, for his activism. He didn't see his work as activism. People have choices in what to cover, and a juicy bit of gossip or a sports pitch is the preferred choice of many. Attending a two-week conference, with or without riots, and having to think, having to absorb science that is uncomfortable and relates to melting glaciers instead of cheering fans, having to transcribe the talks and produce the footage so as to make it understandable to many - that's activism. Well done, and thank you.

This book will be of interest to journalists, environmentalists, scientists, policy makers, those working in international development, economics and conference management. Also, it should be of interest to the wider world, as people need to make choices in the soft drink or the pension fund they choose.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

[Mattias · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a hard time figuring out how this book got such a high average rating. Weren't it for the confirming facts that the people is getting royally screwed over and the authors pessimistic but realistic views, I would have given this 1 star. There is really nothing new here. There is no surprise in that the rich and powerful are taking what they can and leave nothing behind. We already know this. What is foolish is believing that climate change can be solved within the capitalist system. Breeze at times comes close to realising that capitalism and modern industrial society is to blame for the lack of initiative in climate change, as well as the root cause of it, but never actually mentions it.

This confusion and futile hope and celebration of the meagre wins on some of the COP meetings is what gets me ticked up about this book. And the cringey small reports on how Breeze drinks coffee, eats food or travels.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sobering read. Some of the evidence and point presented in this book that climate change and climate collapse is purely driven by the existence of humans. This book makes it clear that we are the reason for an abundance of plastic and pollution in the ocean which in turn endanger or kill much marine life.

With fossil fuels and uncontrolled global emissions going into the atomosphere, there is too much CO2. Too much CO2 contributes to change in global weather, ocean jet streams, world-wide ocean tempuratures, habitat loss from land and sea animals, etc. THIS IS SCARY STUFF.

These points and more is why this makes this a current and global issue, and to deny global climate change is prosposterous and stupid.

A recommended book!

Thanks to Netgalley, Nick Breeze and Ad Lib Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 3/14/2024