Claudia Rosett: Dinner With the Green Glitterati

Amid the ceremonies, no one noted that Pachauri is not a scientist, but an Indian industrial engineer and economist, whose vision translates into a mandate for multilateral bureaucracies feasting together with big business to impose central planning on the planet. No one mentioned that scientific “consensus” on global warming has not in truth been reached--and that hundreds of scientists, including some prominent figures advising the U.N. itself, have vigorously dissented from Pachauri’s conclusions. No one breathed a word about the vast potential cost of re-engineering the world to suit the vision for which Pachauri received his award.

The plates of petits fours were passed around. The freshly brewed coffee was poured. With a closing announcement of “When we talk about a green theme, we walk the walk and talk the talk,” the guests were urged to go home and plant the wildflower seeds embedded in their seating cards. For those with a place at the table, what’s not to feel good about? For the rest of humanity, what will be the real price of such dinners?