Obama confuses UK references with Scottish references at COP26

For a Scottish audience, Barack Obama’s speech at COP26 was marred by some obvious mistakes.

Speaking at the Climate Conference in Glasgow, the former President of the United States referred to its location first as the “Emerald Isles” and then as “The Bard” to William Shakespeare.

“Since we are here in the Emerald Isles, I quote the Bard, William Shakespeare,” Obama said.

“The Emerald Isle” is a Romantic name for Ireland, not the United Kingdom, and Shakespeare is considered a “bard” of England, not Scotland, where the poet Robert Burns holds that title.

Overall, the former president’s speech was well received, even if the gaffes upset some Scots. Obama, who helped secure the Paris climate accord six years ago, was greeted on stage with long applause.

His quote from Shakespeare, though oddly introduced, reflects a point about gradual progress against climate change.

Obama said, “Which wound healed once, but slowly.” “Our planet has been hurt by our actions. Those wounds won’t heal today or tomorrow or the next, but they can be slowly healed.”

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“If we start with that feeling and each of us can sometimes fight through despair and fear, if we commit to doing our part and then fulfill those commitments, then I think we can make a difference. To secure a better future, we have to.”

The Democrat, 60, also said he was happy that “significant progress” has been made since the Paris talks, but “time is really running out.”

“We haven’t done enough to deal with this crisis,” Obama said. “We have to do more and whether or not that happens is largely up to you, not only you in this room, but anyone who is watching or reading the transcript of what I am saying here today. “.