I was Invited to Join the G20 Think Tank Summit. Here's Why I Declined

On October 1, I received an unexpected e-mail in my inbox - an invitation to speak at the Saudi-hosted T20 think-tank summit, which is occurring in connection with the G20 summit that brings together the world's wealthiest countries. I declined the invitation, in solidarity with a growing call to boycott events associated with the G20 such as the U20 (for mayors and city governments) and the W20 (for women's organizations). Prominent people and organizations, including the mayors of Paris, London, New York, and Los Angeles, have honored the demand for a boycott and refused to participate. My participation in a T20 summit session on climate and energy policy hosted by the Saudi government would have contributed to "greenwashing" the summit by creating a deceptive appearance that Saudi Arabia welcomed open debate on climate and energy issues, even though it may run contrary to their immediate economic interests.