spend my time uncomfortably among groups of people that are either palpably disgusted by the climate change debate or completely enthralled by the movement underway. I fall into neither camp, but love people in both. Which has made me a student of the debate and a seeker of truth.

Don’t worry, the truth seeking in this case is not an analysis of the science. I do work on the science related to climate change, but that territory is well trod. This is about some underlying motivations on both sides of the policy debate.

The Paris talks really seemed to open a new chapter in the climate change debate. Perhaps it is a new chapter of progress, perhaps of grandstanding, but regardless, I believe history will judge it a turning point in the volume and scale of the debate, if not of action. For that, it’s too early to tell.

Both beauty and ugliness came out of the Paris talks, which inspired the equivalent in opponents of climate action. This is what interests me, especially because the tension also creates the possibility for new views  that could perhaps be more productive and interesting.

First off, don’t treat them like they’re selfish and evil…