Thread by @MLiebreich

My discussion with Ban Ki Moon on @MLCleaningUp, covered a lot of ground - lessons from the pandemic, energy access, climate change, human rights, the Olympics - and it contained some real bombshells. IN this thread, just some of the highlights... 1/17
cleaningup.live/p/ep70-eh/

"We are suffering this pandemic because the world's leaders have forgotten past experiences. I sincerely hope that when we get over this pandemic, political leaders remember what we have been suffering, and don’t repeat the same foolish mistakes." 2/17

"I telephoned Tedros at the WHO and said you may not be able to handle this crisis alone. Then President Trump withdrew membership from the WHO rather than supporting it, and that was the beginning of the problems for the international community." 3/17

"Energy access is crucial, especially now when schools are closing. Even before the pandemic, many children had no light to do homework for work. This is exactly what I experienced: we didn't have electricity, I had to study under dim candlelight." 4/17

"One of the most reproduced images [from COP21 in Paris] is everyone holding hands, and everyone was dancing, everybody was excited. That was one of the very few moments when the whole world was united for our planet and for future generations." 5/17

Were you pleased or disappointed by COP26? "Half and half. The UK Government officials led by @AlokSharma_RDG and many foreign ministers invested time and energy... but in the end there were some positive and some disappointing developments." 6/17

"I was happy to see an obvious presence at COP26 of US, including President Biden and Special Envoy John Kerry. While there is clearly political will, it is disappointing that the US did not enter negotiations with financial stamina to back this up." 7/17

It was [also] a positive surprise to see the US and China creating their Glasgow declaration on enhancing climate action in the 2020s, which sets a good example and shows dedication from the two countries towards combating climate action. 8/17

"Without Chinese support and working together between Presidents Obama and Xi, the Paris [Agreement] would not have been possible. At the G20 Summit in Haungzou, September 2016, President Xi Jinping took an initiative [which resulted in ratification]" 9/17

"The Paris climate change became effective on 4 of November 2016, 2016. Suppose it had not happened: 2 months [later] President Trump came into power, and he withdrew from the Paris Climate Change Agreement. I'm still sighing a deep sigh of relief!" 10/17

"The matter of cooperation between China and United States is something which I asked and urged them - to work on these global issues first rather than confronting on political or security issues. I think first should come first." 11/17

"Climate change is approaching much, much faster [than expected]. Therefore, I'm urging political leaders: use your wisdom and think about the future of humanity and our planet earth. Let's work on that first – then let's talk about human rights." 12/17

"Let there be no misunderstanding, I don't want it to be said that I'm not paying attention to human rights. I'm going to the [Beijing Winter Olympics] because I am the chairman of the Ethics Commission of the IOC, I have to be there." 13/17

"Let us work together... that's our moral responsibility. I do not have any political and legal responsibility now, but I'm going to continue until we can declare that we have done something to make this a sustainable world." 14/17

It was an extraordinary conversation, ranging from the world's flawed response to Covid-19, through energy access, why he believes climate action is more urgent than human rights, and the Olympics. You can read the highlights, edited for clarity. 15/17
cleaningup.live/p/ep70-eh/

You can also watch my whole conversation with Ban Ki Moon on YouTube. If you do, please click on the like button and leave a comment - whether you agree that climate action is more urgent than human rights or not. Could there be a bigger question?
16/17

And, of course, you can listen to the conversation on your favourite podcast platform, which is what most of our audience does. Again, please remember to like it and leave a comment or a review. It really helps others find @CleaningUp 17/17
cleaningup.live/ep70-ban-ki-mo…

PS: My conversation with Ban Ki Moon was the 70th episode of @MLCleaningUp. Check out our back catalogue, which features Tony Blair, Tony Abbott, Fatih Birol, Ernie Moniz, Steven Chu, Johan Rockström, Christiana Figueres and many more climate rock stars!
cleaningup.live