This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Saturday, 14 August 2021
Oiling Out of Pledges?
Adam Tooze (Columbia University) is alarmed by a statement from Jake Sullivan, a White House National Security Adviser (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/12/pushing-oil-production-us-joe-biden-killing-climate-pledges). Sullivan stated "President Biden has made clear that he wants Americans to have access to affordable and reliable energy, including at the (car refuelling) pump." Tooze interprets this as meaning that an increase in petrol prices to $3.17 per gallon (incredibly low by European standards), is a matter of national security. The US consequently reserves the 'right' to pressure the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia, to flood the world with more oil. Tooze concludes that pushing for more oil production essentially kills its climate pledges. If the US cannot fulfill its obligations, what chance is there that any of the others will do so?
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