"We always have Paris" (repost in English)

Paris is not like any city, it is an icon that we all can relate to. The Eiffel tower is one of the worlds most recognised symbols. Paris is the scene of numerous movies that we have watched.

When Paris suffers from a terrorist attack, that is both well planned and indiscriminately directed against civilans, we are deeply affected. We could have been sitting at the restaurant, it could have been one of us at the Stade de France watching a football game with Paris Saint Germain and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Of course our thoughts primarily are directed towards those killed, all the injured and the many thousands directly and indirectly affected. It is not possible to fully understand, maybe just sense the feelings now overwhelming the people in Paris. As individuals and as a country we should do anything we can to comfort and help. 

In the midst of this chaos of thoughts and emotions we need to start to analyse, in order not to be driven in the direction where the terrorists wants us to go. The goals of the attacks were not chosen by chance. They were directed against symbols for France but also the EU; a football game between the former adversaries Germany and France. The targets were people that wanted to enjoy a nice dinner or listen to a concert. It was, as a reporter on the Swedish radio news said, an attack against the areas and expressions of integration and the cultural cross-over. The terrorist aims to cause a rift in our society, wants to make us scared and despairing, locked in and afraid of each other. 

The enlightenment period began in France and the words “Freedom, equality, fraternity” originates there. Today, Paris does not need our prayers. Paris needs our thoughts, our compassion and our courage to resist those individuals and group that wants to create a nihilistic chaos hidden behind a thin veil of fake religion. We know now that Daesh, the so called “Islamic State” has claimed responsibility for the attack. To the terrorists, people expressing joy and knowledge are their worst nightmares. That is our best weapon of defence. They despise the grayscale, the ambiguity, the discussions and also our open attitude to stranger and refugees. Their ideal is a world as black and white as their flag. Let’s stick with nuance, and love.  

In the short run we of course need to use the means available to find those responsible for the attack, track whoever is behind it and prevent new terrorist attacks. But before we initiate new draconic rules, we still need to stop for a moment and reflect on what we are doing. There is a limit to how  much we can protect ourselves without loosing what we claim to protect. It’s a delicate balance but necessary to be aware of.

If there is something the terror acts as well as the current refugee situation tells us, it is the fact that the world can no longer in parts that exists independently of each other. What happens far away will affect us, the horror inflicted by the terrorists is felt as bad in Beirut as in Paris. If we neglect those who are hurt by conflicts and climate change it will come home to roost. They will seek shelter with us, who have space and resources. If we abandon countries torn apart by civil war we create a breeding ground for dark forces. It is not the only but a contributing factor to the terror we see. 

In a few weeks heads of state, politicians and experts will gather in Paris to finalise the climate treaty the wold so desperately need. In addition, thousands of activist from NGO’s all over the world plan to attend the climate summit. They want to express the public push on the politicians, it is time to move from words to action, if we are to have a liveable climate in the future. 

In light of the events in Paris the climate summit will be a nightmare from security and logistics standpoint. Will it be reasonably open or a will there be at total lock down? Can the planned large public manifestations be held? How many peaceful activists will be detained in the enforced security web by policemen with their nerves on edge?   

If the climate summit can not be held in the way planned, if the focus of the political leaders is shifted from climate to terror threats and no binding treaty is achieved, then far more people will die than what we saw in Paris. It will not be the dramatic images as we watched in the TV news. But if drought and rising sea water drives many more millions from their home and country, then people by the thousands will succumb during their flight towards a safe future. Therefore, we need to keep pushing for a real climate deal, that is what will save us in the long run. 

In a situation like this we need to keep our heads cool, our minds clear and our hearts open. A weak, divided, closed and repressive Europe is the terrorists dream come through and the last thing the we and the world needs.