Watch: Abela Blasts ‘Loser Mentality’ Of Idea People Must Suffer In Fight Against Climate Change
Robert Abela came out strongly against proponents of degrowth to tackle climate change, telling Parliament their ideology is a sign of a “loser mentality”.
“I want to be ultra clear that we won’t burden the people,” Abela said during a debate on a new Climate Change Authority.
“This is a crystal clear direction that will be given to this authority. This doesn’t mean that we don’t make tough decisions, but that we don’t believe tough decisions are made any easier if we burden people and businesses. It is a message I send out consistently in European and international fora too.”
From a massive continental push towards electric vehicles and warnings against cheap flights to calls to remove subsidies from the meat industry, there are growing concerns that climate change policies are harming people who aren’t well-off.
Essentially, the concern is that while well-off people will still be able to fly, drive, and eat whatever they like, those who aren’t so financially fortunate will have to bear the brunt and get used to more frugal lifestyles.
Abela didn’t provide any details on how he intends to combat this ideology, but his message was clear.
“Just as a I resist the professors of austerity in terms of managing public funds, so too will I will fight against those who argue that we can only assure the future by paying an economic price.”
“I don’t believe in this train of thought because it makes no sense; it is the train of thought of those with a loser mentality.”
“What kind of environmental security can you offer without economic security? How can you look towards environmental security if you don’t have peace of mind in your own livelihood?”
What do you make of Abela’s statement?