Barack Obama speaks at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow
(Picture: PA)Safe to say, Americans don’t always have the best reputation for getting geography right on this side of the Atlantic.
And an event that has really laid bare this stereotype is Cop26. First, CNN journalist Wolf Blitzer got sent to and announced he was reporting from Edinburgh, despite the conference very much taking place in Glasgow.
And now Barack Obama has suffered to understand the complexities of the map, claiming he was on the ‘Emerald Isles’ - how people describe Ireland - despite being in Scotland, which is more the Irn-Bru Isles.
Quoting William Shakespeare’s Othello, the former President said: “Since we’re here in the Emerald Isles, let me quote the bard. What wound did ever heal but by degrees?”
Let’s not even begin to explain that Scots also often quote Robert Burns as their bard - not Shakespeare...
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He continued: “Our planet has been wounded by our actions - those wounds won’t be healed today, or tomorrow, or the next, but they can be healed by degrees.
“If we start with that spirit and each of us can fight through the occasional frustration and dread, if we pledge to do our part and then follow through on those commitments, I believe we can secure a better future. We have to.
“And what a profound and noble task to set for ourselves.
“I’m ready for the long haul if you are, so let’s get to work.’
And so, as is the way, people jumped on Twitter not to debate climate change or Obama’s message on the matter, but to roast him for his slip:
Emerald Isle? 🤦🏻♀️Can only conclude that the usually polished @BarackObama is maybe a little jet lagged. Still, great speech from one of the best orators on the planet 😊#COP26
— Jane Hamilton (@janehamilton22) November 8, 2021
COP26 going down a bomb .... Barack Obama refers to Scotland as "The Emerald isle" and the Bard as William Shakespeare, while Joe Biden reportedly farts when speaking to Camilla !
— Eddie … #scottishindependence14 (@bigbenn1e) November 8, 2021
Barack Obama speech-
— JackElphinstone. (@ElphinstoneJack) November 8, 2021
Unfortunately, it seemed the former White House chief hadn’t done enough research on Scotland.
Concluding the speech, he said: “Since we’re in the Emerald Isle here, let me quote the bard, William Shakespeare.
🤦
Tut-tut @BarackObama
— Lorna (for Indy) MacGillivray Johnston (@Elemjay1) November 9, 2021
The "Emerald Isle" is IRELAND.
Saor Alba #ItsTime 🏴 #IndyRef2 #YesScots @one_indy_clan 🏴 #NationInWaiting https://t.co/jfoH5j76F3
Dear @BarackObama I guess you didn’t major in geography. You were in Glasgow, Scotland yesterday, NOT The Emerald Isle. Oh and we will be independent from RUK, very soon. #YesScotsNoTrident #NationInWaitin #ScottishIndependence
— GeeExDee 🏴 (@GarryXDee) November 9, 2021
Elsewhere in the speech, Obama called on young people to “stay angry” in the fight against climate change put pressure on politicians to act. He criticised former president Donald Trump for his stance on the issue and slammed China and Russia for not physically attending the conference.
But it was his Emerald Isles gaffe that really stuck out.
Thank goodness Scots have no sense of national identity and patriotism.
Oh wait...
