Article by Eric Worrell
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is doubling down on his tough climate demands as he draws to the end of a zero-achievement term.
Pacific at risk: UN urges Australia to block new coal and gas projects
go through Bianca Hall
August 27, 2024 – 11:25 amRich countries such as Australia must immediately phase out fossil fuels and block new coal projects and oil and gas expansion to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in Tonga on Tuesday.
The United Nations issued a global distress call – something Guterres called “save our oceans” – and released new data from NASA and the World Meteorological Organization showing sea levels have doubled since the 1990s.
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“Without deep cuts in emissions, Pacific islands are expected to experience at least an additional 15 centimeters of sea level rise by mid-century, with coastal flooding lasting more than 30 days per year in some places,” Guterres told reporters at the forum.
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Find out more: https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/pacific-in-peril-un-urges-australia-to-block-new-coal-and-gas-projects-20240823- p5k4ue.html
This demand is particularly interesting because fossil fuels are a key component of solar and wind energy. Coal is an important ingredient in solar panels, while oil and natural gas are important ingredients in the epoxy or polyester plastic used to form wind turbine blades. The end of coal, oil and gas projects, especially the metallurgical coal programme, will also mean the end of the renewable energy revolution.
But I guess you need to know some science and engineering to understand the relationship between fossil fuels and “green” energy.
As the forgotten Guterres approaches his final stretch, an interesting question is who will replace him.
The odds are against Jacinda Ardern, the former prime minister of New Zealand and now a global censorship promoter. She seems to be a very random person, giving a speech in 2023 equating climate skepticism with gun violence. If she serves the United Nations as well as she serves the people of New Zealand, then with any luck the United Nations will be completely dissolved by the end of Jacinta's term as UN Secretary-General.
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