Despite all the talk about switching to green energy, it seems governments around the world aren’t being totally honest. Here are the details.
Western Nations’ Dirty Secret
Image Credit: Shutterstock / UniqueEye
It’s 2024, and rich Western countries – the US and the UK, to name two big players – are ramping up oil and gas exploration. There is potential for nearly 12 billion tonnes of emissions to be unleashed from new oil and gas fields, and climate activists are not happy.
The Green Facade
Image Credit: Shutterstock / industryviews
Recent data from the Guardian shows that these new oil and gas projects are set to produce the most emissions we’ve seen since 2018 – even as extreme weather causes devastation worldwide.
Climate Promises vs. Fossil Fuel Frenzy
Image Credit: Shutterstock / oliverdelahaye
Experts argue that this huge push for more fossil fuels flies in the face of their climate promises and the work they’ve already done on the green agenda, and could cause major environmental harm.
Drilling Deeper
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Evgenii Panov
Imagine spewing out the same amount of greenhouse gases as China does annually – that’s what we’re looking at with these upcoming projects. That’s a huge amount, more than we’ve seen over the last four years combined.
Rich Nations Lead the Charge
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sundry Photography
What’s mind-boggling to climate activists is that these rich nations – supposed to be leading the fight against climate change – are the ones pushing this drilling frenzy.
The New Petrostates
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Kashif Hameed
In 2023 alone, high-capacity countries handed out 825 new licenses, breaking records. While countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia have been criticized for their slow climate action, the US, UK, Canada, Norway, and Australia are now being labeled as the “other petrostates.”
License to Drill
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Clare Louise Jackson
These wealthy nations have the resources to transition away from fossil fuels smoothly, but they’re responsible for almost 70% of all new oil and gas licenses issued worldwide since 2020.
Paris Agreement Paradox
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sadi-Santos
Fossil fuel companies are pouring more money into new oil and gas projects now than they have since the 2015 Paris climate agreement – where countries promised to cut emissions and fight global warming.
Increased Spending on Fossil Fuels
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Deemerwha studio
As Olivier Bois von Kursk from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explains, “The logical first step in a ‘transition away’ from oil and gas is to stop opening new fields. So it is deeply concerning that exploration activity has not just continued since the Cop28 agreement but increased.”
Rich countries should be the first to stop issuing licenses, but that’s not happening.
Biden’s Dilemma
Image Credit: Shutterstock / lev radin
Since Biden took office, the U.S. has issued 1453 new oil and gas licenses. That’s 50% of all licenses issued worldwide in the last four years. It’s also 20% more than during Trump’s term when he famously promised to “drill, baby, drill.”
Big Oil’s Influence in Washington
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Cavan-Images
The oil and gas industry has spent over $1.25 billion on lobbying in Washington and over $650 million in campaign contributions over the past decade.
UK’s Slippery Slope
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Melinda Nagy
The UK is under fire too, having issued more licenses than any other country in May.
Labour’s Challenge
Image Credit: Shutterstock / narai chal
The new Labour government has promised to stop new drilling, but whether they have the time, money, or competence to reverse the Conservative Party’s decisions remains to be seen.
Experts Sound the Alarm
Image Credit: Shutterstock / NicoElNino
Climate experts are terrified that these wealthy nations are pushing us towards a climate catastrophe despite all their green promises.
The Dirty Five
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Serenity Images23
According to the IISD, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Norway have contributed five times more greenhouse gas emissions from new projects between 2014 and 2023 than all other countries combined.
America’s Carbon Footprint
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Christian Horz
The US alone issued a record 758 new licenses in 2023 – which caused an estimated 397 million tonnes of emissions. That is the same amount of emissions as around 86 million cars.
Norway’s Black Gold Rush
Image Credit: Shutterstock / elxeneize
Norway is expected to hand out 80 oil and gas licenses this year, which will release around 771 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution.
Australia’s Fossil Fuel Fever
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Juergen_Wallstabe
Australia could also be on track to award 20 new licenses in 2024, which would generate around 217 million tonnes of carbon pollution – the most since 2009.
The Real-World Cost of Climate Inaction
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Piyaset
All of these new oil and gas projects are happening on a backdrop of extreme weather, as communities worldwide deal with climate disasters like sea level rise, droughts, and melting glaciers. The past decade has been the hottest on record, and last year was the hottest year so far.
Can They Keep Their Promise?
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Microgen
A recent study found that if governments stick to their climate promises, the world has enough planned fossil fuel projects to meet global energy needs until 2050. However, this ongoing rush for new oil and gas could blow any chance of keeping within the 1.5C rise above pre-industrial levels agreed upon in the Paris Agreement.
Energy Needs vs. Climate Goals
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sippapas somboonkar
This news has left many to ask what the point is. What is the point of investing in pro-climate policies if you’re then going to greenlight new oil and gas fields – which are causing the problem you’re spending billions to combat? It’s a never-ending cycle.
Oil Dumping Scandal Rocks Ships Heading to New Orleans
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Aerial-motion
Two shipping companies have been fined after knowingly hiding a large oil spill in the Atlantic Ocean. Oil Dumping Scandal Rocks Ships Heading to New Orleans
20 Eye-Opening Realities Facing Retiring Baby Boomers
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jack Frog
As Baby Boomers approach retirement, the promise of leisure and security often seems unattainable. This generation faces unique challenges that could redefine retirement. Here’s a stark look at the realities shaping their outlook. 20 Eye-Opening Realities Facing Retiring Baby Boomers
Retail Apocalypse: Massive Closures Sweep Across U.S. Brands
Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tada Images
Stores across the U.S. are closing at unprecedented levels, according to new research from advisory firm Coresight Research. Read on for more information about the impact this could have on you and your communities. Retail Apocalypse: Massive Closures Sweep Across U.S. Brands
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / lev radin.
