Nations are gathering together this week in Egypt to address the threat of climate change. According to some experts, wealthy nations ought to step up and do more to help with the smaller, weaker countries. In reality, rich countries are slowing walking away from contributions? What gives? How should we understand all the reasons?

Paul Hockenos is a Berlin writer who covers renewable energy and the climate crisis. He is the prize-winning author of four books on European affairs and was a fellow at the American Academy in Berlin.