The Short and the Long Term?

The Chair of the Energy Transition thinktank says that, although the Ukraine war has increased the short-term need for North Sea oil and gas, these fossil fuels are not a solution to the UK's energy problems (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/07/dont-let-high-energy-prices-derail-uk-green-agenda-say-climate-experts ). The thinktank advocates 'squeezing' more oil and gas out of existing fields without starting new explorations. Much of North Sea oil and gas is, however, actually exported. Wind and solar power still seem to be the more appropriate solutions for UK energy needs. This all seems sensible. There has, however, always been a tendency for short term solutions to elide into the longer term. A basic assumption, of course, is that 'energy problems' in Europe, are short term and will return to 'normal'. This, unfortunately, is not inevitably going to happen. An orderly transition from fossil fuels to renewables, seems less and less likely. Getting anywhere near carbon zero, within the available time frame, was always a big ask.