Climate activists set out their goals, Macron’s jumper amuses style trolls, and the great British public goes to the polls.
This episode is sponsored by Metal Packaging Europe, find out more about them at the end.
Climate action took centre stage this week.
In Madrid, Greta Thunberg was given a rock star welcome by an army of journalists at COP25.
LOOK: Teenage climate activist @GretaThunberg arrives at a Madrid train station in Spain for the Climate Action Summit #COP25.
She traveled back to Europe from the U.S. via catamaran to promote sustainable travel pic.twitter.com/4VwPHHOoqQ
— QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake) December 6, 2019
“I successfully managed to sneak in. I don’t think anyone saw me…” she joked.
I successfully managed to sneak into Madrid this morning! I don’t think anyone saw me…
Anyway it’s great to be in Spain! https://t.co/8SfqpqbUXG— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) December 6, 2019
On Wednesday, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced her climate action plans saying it was Europe’s “man on the moon” moment. “The EU Green Deal is more than just a vision. It is a roadmap for action.”
The #EUGreenDeal is more than just a vision. It is a roadmap for action. It has 50 actions for 2050 – for a climate and nature friendly Europe.
Our goal is to reconcile our economy with our planet, and make it work for our people.This is Europe's 'man on the moon' moment.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 11, 2019
Magnus Franklin tweeted: “Really? A *roadmap*? Shouldn’t it be a bicycle lane, or hiking-trail or somesuch?”
Really? A *roadmap* for the EU's #GreenDeal? Shouldn't it be a bicycle lane, or hiking-trail map or somesuch? #LanguageMatters https://t.co/O1RRAJg7WM
— Magnus Franklin (@magnusfranklin) December 11, 2019
Mehreen Khan said the “man on the moon” comment was an unfortunate comparison as she imagines “sending men to the moon has quite a high carbon footprint.”
Commission's @vonderleyen says her European Green Deal is the EU's "man on the moon moment". Unfortunate comparison as I imagine sending men to the moon has quite a high carbon footprint pic.twitter.com/qKgAKtiF1z
— Mehreen (@MehreenKhn) December 11, 2019
The Green New Deal was also on the Brussels Summit agenda on Thursday, where EU leaders were greeted by 61 Greenpeace activists who scaled the European Council building in the early hours.
BREAKING: 61 Activists set the EU summit on fire *figuratively* whilst governments argue about climate targets for…2050.
But that’s just too little too late. Our planet is *literally* burning and we need countries to take climate action NOW.#HouseOnFire #EUCO pic.twitter.com/PveD52Oqns— Greenpeace Belgium (@greenpeace_be) December 12, 2019
As Dave Keating explained, the protester’s stunt made it look as though the Europa building was on fire. It was designed to pressure Poland into ending its veto on the EU #NetZero 2050 target, but it scared a lot of people. He asked: “Have they crossed a line?” he asked.
Greenpeace stunt ahead of today's #EUCO makes it look like the Europa Building is on fire. Designed to pressure Poland into ending its veto on EU #NetZero 2050 target.
Scared a lot of people. Have they crossed a line?
pic.twitter.com/5oWBLpjkqo— Dave Keating (@DaveKeating) December 12, 2019
Not according to Twitter which was clogged with images of the stunt:
As #EU leaders convene in Brussels, @greenpeace_be activists protest at the EU Council pic.twitter.com/trCH258xkT
— Miruna Georgescu (@mirugeorgescu) December 12, 2019
Photo Story: Greenpeace action on European Council building in Brussels https://t.co/m79WHPpUQF
via Corporate Dispatch #climatechange #europeanunion #news pic.twitter.com/p6uYnjTpKU— CorporateDispatch (@CDNewsDispatch) December 12, 2019
Greenpeace got back some serious security to get this banner up. This is literally the building where EU leaders will meet in Brussels later today pic.twitter.com/cKQM7eTVxA
— James Randerson (@james_randerson) December 12, 2019
Greenpeace activists scaled the European Union’s new headquarters in Brussels on Thursday and unfurled a huge banner warning of a “climate emergency,” hours before the bloc’s leaders gather for a summit focused on plans to combat global warming. https://t.co/JGnHh8cbOL
— Frank Jordans (@wirereporter) December 12, 2019
The other image setting the internet on fire this week is Macron’s jumper.
New Yorker writer Lauren Collins got the ball rolling by asking why French President Emmanuel Macron was wearing a turtleneck with a suit.
And according to a “French person” because it’s a climate change
press conference, he’s wearing a left-wing outfit.
me: why is Macron wearing a turtleneck?
french person: because it's a press conference about climate change
me: ??
french person: so he's wearing a left-wing outfit pic.twitter.com/Mgb6k4vn25— Lauren Collins (@laurenzcollins) December 10, 2019
Cue the Twitter frenzy as people struggled to get their heads around the idea!
A lot of people responded that he also looks like a bond villain.
he also looks like a bond villain with that outfit https://t.co/QcDCHmDX9Y
— Guillaume (@guillaumeQD) December 10, 2019
'No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.' https://t.co/X58tNvjLLN
— The $SPY (@The___SPY) December 10, 2019
Clever Hedge said he was pulling a Steve Jobs.
when @EmmanuelMacron pulls a Steve Jobs (or Elisabeth Homes)https://t.co/2U2G86FIdj
— Clever Hedge (@cleverhedge) December 11, 2019
Even fashion magazine VANITY FAIR had an opinion: “A turtleneck is a turtleneck — unless, in Emmanuel Macron’s case, it’s much more,” claimed a headline.
A turtleneck is a turtleneck—unless, in Emmanuel Macron's case, it's much more https://t.co/EVvtIcIq4J
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) December 10, 2019
By Thursday morning, Craig Winneker said the Macron turtleneck news cycle had reached the hot contrarian take stage.
Glad to see the Macron turtleneck news cycle has reached the hot contrarian take stage.
Personally I think it’s a look best left to Dick Cavett and maybe Dirk Bogarde
— Craig Winneker (@CraigWinneker) December 12, 2019
But Benjamin Haddad kept a level head: “It’s winter, what else are you supposed to wear?”
It’s winter, what else are you supposed to wear? https://t.co/887dqUg6bX
— Benjamin Haddad (@benjaminhaddad) December 11, 2019
Winter weather was also much discussed as the UK went to the polls yesterday and the campaigning finally ended.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged everyone to vote, even if they had to wear a wooly hat.
Polling station: come over
Me: I can’t, it’s too cold outside
Polling station: Boris Johnson is going to sell off our NHS
Me: pic.twitter.com/4JybDw7vc9— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) December 10, 2019
While Prime MinisterBoris Johnson allegedly “hid in a fridge” to avoid being interviewed.
Astonishing scenes. Boris Johnson's press secretary just told a @GMB reporter to “fuck off”. Then Johnson went and *hid in a fridge* to avoid being interviewed. #GE2019 pic.twitter.com/tvNk2X0wYb
— Rachael #VoteLabourToday Swindon (@Rachael_Swindon) December 11, 2019
And yes, OF COURSE Twitter rose to the occasion once again with these gems:
Live footage of Boris Johnson travelling to his next stop on the final day of campaigning #GE2019#Fridgegate pic.twitter.com/rILDqnQj2x
— M.T Chair Esq (@MTChairPolitics) December 11, 2019
#BorisJohnson actually just hid in a fridge to escape interview questions from GMTV. What the fuck is even happening anymore?#fridgegate pic.twitter.com/2iVinHaypo
— Hurricane Michael 🏳️🌈🦄👄🥑 (@oldladysimpson) December 11, 2019
You can come out now @BorisJohnson. The reporters have all gone. 😂#fridgegate pic.twitter.com/2dk3sPlwAl
— Chelley Ryan 🖐️ #VoteLabour (@chelleryn99) December 11, 2019
James Crisp tweeted that he had voted, but wasn’t exactly thrilled with his options: “Can’t shake the feeling that someone, somewhere is taking the piss. What a dispiriting, disappointing set of choices served up to electorate like a plate of sick,” he said.
I have now voted in the #GeneralElection2019.
Can't shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, somehow is taking the piss.
What a dispiriting, disappointing set of choices served up to electorate like a plate of sick. #viewsmyown
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) December 7, 2019
Wow, keep it light James!
And on that note, forget politics, #dogsatpollingstations is the main reason to log onto Twitter on election day.
Forget politics, this is the main reason to log onto Twitter today #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/fGUyDpaSU6
— smitch (@Smitch2015) December 12, 2019
This week we are supported by Metal Packaging Europe. Their new Metal Recycles Forever logo microsite is live and aiming to help keep consumers and brands in the loop. Follow them online.
Our Metal Recycles Forever logo microsite is live!
It’ll help consumers & brands understand the role they play in keeping metal in the material loop, by recycling empty packaging & communicating benefits.https://t.co/ZRQREAdn6F#metalrecyclesforeverhttps://t.co/9dUBrDCBr7
— Metal Packaging Europe (@metal_packaging) December 10, 2019
That’s it for this week, join me again next Friday for the final episode of this year, where we probably WILL have to talk about the election results, but for once, I’m glad we record on a Thursday!