“Too many corporations are making record profits from climate devastation, with billions spent on lobbying, deceiving the public, and obstructing progress.
We all know what the lobbyists want, it’s to increase their profits, with the price being paid by humankind.
Too many leaders remain captive to these entrenched interests.”
—UN Secretary General António Guterres at COP 30, the UN Climate Conference underway in Brazil this week.
This quote explains why the world continues to fail at reducing carbon emissions.
CO2 emissions for this year will reach a record high of 38.1 billion tons, according to a new report from the Global Carbon Project.
This is happening despite a clear Need-to-Know Fact:
The vast majority of the human population—between 80% and 89%—wants governments to take more action on climate change.
Too many of us still do not realize we are in the vast majority.
That’s not an accident or failure on our part.
The $billions spent on lobbying and deceiving the public is all about delaying emission cuts by persuading us that climate risks are overblown, that solutions don’t work, or are too costly, or are bad for nature and the environment.
For example, I’m often told wind turbines are bad because they kill birds. And, yes, sometimes they do. Sadly, 1000s of times more birds are killed every year by vehicles and buildings, not to mention free-roaming cats and pesticides.
In speeches, interviews, ads, fake news stories, podcasts, and all over social media, they repeat the big lie that climate impacts won’t be that bad. And that it’s a small price to pay for progress.
Many of those loud, shouty people on social media and podcasts are paid to repeat those lies. They want to silence us and distract us from demanding stronger climate action so they can continue to profit despite ever-worsening levels of extreme weather.
“Every fraction of a degree means more hunger, displacement, and loss – especially for those least responsible. It could push ecosystems past irreversible tipping points, expose billions to unlivable conditions, and amplify threats to peace and security.”
That’s what Guterres told world leaders at COP 30 the other day.
World leaders, mainly in the wealthy nations and petrostates, aren’t listening.
We must make them listen because strong action on climate change will make our lives healthier and more affordable. (You know this is true because the loud, shouty people are always trying to get us to believe the opposite.)
Need-to-Know: Fossil fuels are inefficient and costly
More than 60% of the energy generated by fossil fuels is lost as waste heat. It’s like buying a dozen eggs and then throwing away 8 of those eggs.
Here’s an incredible stat: The energy wasted from inefficient fossil-fuel combustion represents a cost of $4.6 trillion every year, globally.
We pay that $4.6 trillion cost every year. (For every $100; you put in the gas tank, you only get $20 worth of mileage. See Why Complain About Gas Prices When 80% of the Gas in Your Tank is Wasted?)
We’re also paying for the estimated $600 to $800 billion in direct and indirect subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. Also, every year.
Need to Know: Solar, wind, electric vehicles, and heat pumps are three to four times more efficient.
The cost of solar, wind, and batteries has plummeted over the past 15 years. Fossil fuels haven’t because the costs of extraction have soared as the easy-to-get sources of coal, gas, and oil are depleted.
Meanwhile, the sun and wind remain free.
Need to Know: Solar energy is now so low-cost in Australia that Australians will soon receive three hours of power a day for free.
Renewables will lower electricity prices. That’s why over 90% of new energy projects installed last year were renewables.
The rising cost of living is a big concern. However, despite all the anti-renewable propaganda, less than 3% of Americans blame clean energy or climate policy, according to a recent survey. The other 97% have got it right.
Need to Know: Fossil fuel use is hurting your and your family’s health
Air pollution from oil and gas causes 91,000 premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of health issues, including 216,000 new cases of childhood asthma across the U.S. ANNUALLY.
“The stark reality is that one of the greatest threats to human prosperity comes from leaders and companies who are rolling back on climate commitments, delaying action, and doubling down on fossil fuel production.”
— Public health experts in the medical journal The Lancet
Bottom line: For a more affordable and healthier life for ourselves and loved ones, we need to embrace renewable energy and use clean electricity to power our homes, businesses, vehicles, and industries.
Where do we go from here?
It’s essential to inform people that the adoption of renewables and the electrification of products currently reliant on fossil fuels will lower our cost of living and improve everyone’s health. (And prevent climate change from worsening.)
Protests and civil disobedience will be necessary.
Sadly, mass protests will be needed to overcome powerful and wealthy vested interests.
This will all seem ridiculous 10 years from now, when everyone knows that renewables and electrification brought us all healthier, more affordable lives.
Sigh.
Until next time. Be well.
Stephen