As I have already pointed out, the world climate summit is now widely seen as a chance for heads of state to posture in the name of the environment rather than proffer any concrete solutions. The hopelessness is remarkable and can be found in all corners of public discourse.
Climate protests have recently incited media ire as activists attach themselves to artworks or splash soup on them (quite clearly planning their actions to ensure that artefacts themselves don't come to harm). Yet many onlookers prefer to get riled up about "distasteful" protests that "set the wrong tone" rather than pay any attention to the problem at hand.
The general appetite for business as usual completely overlooks any of last summer's droughts and wildfires, the warmest October Europe has ever seen, and the UN secretary general's warning that we're on a "highway to climate hell". For all the faith naysayers put in human innovation, it is quite an indictment on our current course.
To make matters worse, the hypocrisy goes all the way to the top, as Alexander De Croo deftly demonstrated as he urged young people in his COP speech not to polarise the climate conversation. He later doubled down on his call for cohesion, stressing the need to leave no one behind.
But isn't this the problem? How long must young people wait for older generations to drop their climate insouciance and pull in the right direction? The Prime Minister's statements drew considerable criticism, with one commentator disparaging the fact that De Croo used his five minutes in the international spotlight to "ridicule activists" rather than propose anything of substance.
Is the Prime Minister missing the point? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. COP27: Belgian PM De Croo's speech criticises climate activists
During his speech on the third day of the climate conference in Egypt (COP27), Prime Minister Alexander De Croo addressed his words to young people and urged them to be "part of the solution instead of encouraging polarisation." However, initial reactions to the speech have not been positive. Read more.
2. 9 November national strike: What you need to know
For the fourth time this year, all trade unions in Belgium are organising a national day of "inter-professional" action on Wednesday 9 November. Disruptions started on Belgium's rail services from 22:00 Tuesday night. Here's all you need to know to avoid getting caught out. Read more.
3. Good Move: Licence plate cameras to be enforced in Brussels centre
As part of the regional Good Move mobility plan, a dozen of new traffic filters with a licence plate recognition system will come into force in the City of Brussels at the end of November. Read more.
4. As Belgium's governments flounder with reception crisis, despair spreads on the streets
It was still dark and the Brussels streets were largely empty when at 07:00 on Tuesday morning a crowd gathered in front of the Immigration Office. As has been the case for months, hundreds of men, women and children stood in line to apply for asylum. Many will be turned away. Read more.
5. Rainwater will no longer end up in sewers in Brussels
As a concrete jungle, rainwater barely seeps into the soil of Brussels' ground, which has proven to be problematic during floods and long periods of drought. With its new Water Management Plan 2022-2027, Brussels authorities are aiming to "put water back at the centre" of the region, literally. Read more.
6. New app for administrative identification launched on Wednesday
Following in the footsteps of 'Itsme,' myID.be is the latest identification app to reach the Belgian market, allowing Belgians to access public services online. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: The Oldest Pharmacy in Bruges
Even a mild headache gives you an excuse to enter the beautiful Apotheek Dryepondt opposite the cloth hall in Bruges. It might look like a museum, but it is an authentic chemist’s dating back all the way to 1835. Read more.
