There are grounds to criticise the Albanese government on climate. It sends mixed messages, backing policies to expand renewable energy and cleaner cars while approving massive fossil fuel developments for export. Those decisions will make it harder to transform the economy and protect the country from the inevitable changes ahead.

Bowen’s run at helping lead the climate talks may amount to little obvious progress. It’s a difficult job on a good day, and these are not the best days. The unprecedented co-hosting arrangement with Turkey adds fresh challenges. It might be that the strongest result possible when the world (minus the US) gathers in the resort city of Antalya will be to keep the show together. There is also an argument that the big new decisions needed to address the climate problem will be driven by economics, not politics.

But a diplomatic collapse could certainly make it worse. It’s beyond time to grow up and take the issue seriously – and hope Cop31 succeeds.