Photo: Greenpeace/Myllyvirta

So we have an agreement on combating climate change from Copenhagen. I am not a policy wonk, or one of the wise ones of the climate movement. Thus I am not going to give a point by point review of the agreement and tell you where we were helped and where we were screwed. You could spend several life times at your computer reviewing the reviews that are now pouring in. I am not going to issue a thunderous denunciation, nor am I going to tell you “Heh, let’s be realistic and take what we can get for now.” I am just going to say how it looks to me, a lowly climate activist in Cleveland, Ohio.

Let me put my biases front and center on what I think of conclaves such as the one that has just wrapped up in Copenhagen. I tend to think that they are jokes. I tend to think they are how the powerful of the world avoid change by promising change.

On the other hand, once one of these conclaves declares that a problem is a problem, the problem starts to at least be taken somewhat, sort of seriously by the main stream of society. So they are of symbolic and moral value. Beyond that they rapidly diminish in value.

Photo: Greenpeace

One of the good things about these events is that they enable those who are usually ignored by the Masters of the Universe, to get in at least some face and press time with the international public – hopefully not while they are getting their butts kicked by some ninja suited cops. These are events where not only the status quo gather, smooze and plot their plots, but where their opposition gather, smooze and plot their plots. Especially in a day when most people communicate over the internet, with people they will never meet, such social face time is priceless – no matter whether you are a plutocrat, or a black block anarchist.

It is a good thing Copenhagen happened. It is a good thing that an agreement was reached in Copenhagen – even if it is like a Christmas present that was not exactly what you wanted, we will still smile a cheesy smile and say “thank you, you shouldn’t have.” Heh, even Obama said it was inadequate. I am one of those unprincipled, sell out pragmatists who is always glad that my team moved the ball a few yards, while others want to fire the coach if every drive does not result in a touch down. But now the agreement at Copenhagen moves from that playing field, to the parking lot.

First, the agreement will make no impression whatsoever in that pestilential swamp of inertia known as the Beltway. Our legislative bodies, the House and especially the Senate, have one response to change. Kill it before it multiplies. Our legislators are elected by the people, but for the most part they are owned by interests that consider action on climate change to be a mortal threat.

Photo: (c) Greenpeace/Kristian Buus

Second, is that the agreement runs into one of the great peculiarities of the Obama era. Kevin Baker in this past June’s Harper’s magazine called it “change without movement.” All other great eras of reform and change in American history have witnessed social movements that have filled the streets and laid siege to the halls of power. Not this alleged period of change and reform. Instead of thunderous demands for justice, or the eloquence of MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, or the chants of great throngs in the streets, the only sound this era makes is the clicking of the key board. That simply will not do. The powerful only move when they are threatened by electoral defeat, or social unrest. There is no movement muscle behind health reform, climate change or anything else on the Obama menu. So far in this alleged era of social change, the only people hitting the streets are those who are fighting against change. And it has been very, very good for them. Has anyone in the net roots noticed this or are they too busy twittering?

A few yards more on the playing field. I am glad, but I am not satisfied either. I want some numbers for us put up on the board. That means we have to start sacking their quarterbacks with some linemen who will get medieval on the defenders of the status quo. That means we have to start building movements that are not tea parties, that are focused, that will not take no for an answer, that do not hide behind PCs and lap tops, and will not give up. There is simply no alternative to that dirty, grinding work.

The fight is moving towards the parking lot. Lets get ready.