The Economist asks: Bjorn Lomborg

Christmas is a time many people concentrate not just on celebrating with loved ones but also on giving back to our communities and societies. The idea of giving is intrinsic to the Christmas spirit. Charities aim to benefit from this festive goodwill by highlighting ways we can help those in need. It’s a great time to focus on doing good in the world. It’s also a great time to think more about how we do the most good, not just locally, but on a global scale.

The recent UN climate summit in Glasgow was predictably branded our “last chance” to tackle the “climate catastrophe” and “save humanity.” Like many others, US climate envoy John Kerry warned us that we have only nine years left to avert most of “catastrophic” global warming.

The outcome of the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow (COP26) has been criticised by commentators as unambitious, with some calling it a “monumental failure”. Even the summit’s host, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, admitted the deal was “tinged with disappointment”. This is hardly sur­prising: historically, most climate promises have fared badly.