fiddle while Rome burns. To do something trivial and irresponsible in the midst of an emergency; legend has it that while a fire destroyed the city of Rome, the emperor Nero played his violin, thus revealing his total lack of concern for his people and his empire

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fiddle-while-rome-burns

Legend has it that Nero played the violin while a great fire ravaged Rome for six days, (July of 64 A.D) destroying 70 percent of the city and leaving half its population homeless.

The phrase is used today to indicate a leader’s ‘total lack of concern for his people and his empire.’

Today, of course, Trump plays golf as not only the nation, but the entire world burns. Ignoring the problems is bad enough, but his administration and his enablers actively do everything they can to roll back environmental regulations, and prop up the failing fossil fuel industry, adding fuel to the fire. Engaging in eco-terrorism.

I have said the continued use of fossil fuels is an act of war against Mother Earth.

International lawmakers should adopt a fifth Geneva convention that recognises damage to nature alongside other war crimes, according to an open letter by 24 prominent scientists.

The legal instrument should incorporate wildlife safeguards in conflict regions, including protections for nature reserves, controls on the spread of guns used for hunting and measures to hold military forces to account for damage to the environment, say the signatories to the letter, published in the journal Nature.

Make environmental damage a war crime, say scientists, by Jonathan Watts, The Guardian, July 24, 2019

“A crime against humanity has been committed against the people of Flint, making them refugees in their own homes. Tell me honestly: if you were living in Flint right now, and you learned that your children had been drinking lead-filled water for two years, and then you discovered that the Governor knew this and the state lied about it – tell me, just how fast would your head be spinning? With your children now poisoned, and with the poisoning continuing… is the word “nonviolence” dominating your thoughts right now? Are you absolutely, stunningly amazed how peaceful the people in Flint have remained? Are you curious how much longer that can last? I hope it does. If you want to help Flint, sign the petition, demand that the federal government take action, and then get involved yourself, wherever you live, so that this doesn’t happen to you – and so that the people we elect know they can no longer break the law as they rule by fiat or indifference. We deserve much better than this.”

For a better world, Michael Moore

The following video is about a massive oil spill in California, now said to have spilled over 1 million gallons of oil and water. It is thought that weakened regulations resulted in fracking taking place too near the pipeline, causing it to rupture.

The youth led Sunrise Movement has been calling for a Democratic presidential debate focused solely on climate devastation. “Together, we will change this country and this world, sure as the sun rises each morning.” CNN has responded to that challenge.

CNN will host a Democratic presidential town hall in September focused on the climate crisis.

The event will take place on Wednesday, September 4, in New York City. CNN is inviting candidates who meet the Democratic National Committee’s polling threshold for the September primary debate to participate, meaning they’ve reached at least 2% in four approved polls by August 28.

The most prominent proposal put forth by Democrats and backed by multiple presidential candidates has been the Green New Deal, the renewable-energy infrastructure investment plan proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

CNN to host climate crisis town hall with 2020 Democratic candidates By Kyle Blaine, CNN, July 25, 2019