US commits to shutting down its coal plants during COP28
FOX NewsNOV 15 2023
COP28 Leader Says He Respects Climate Science After Controversy Over Phasing Out Fossil Fuels
Image copyright: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Sultan al-Jaber’s comments about phasing out fossil fuels clearly show why the chief executive of the UAE’s state-run oil company should not be the President of a global climate summit. Overwhelming scientific evidence shows that human use of fossil fuels directly impacts the Earth’s climate and is a leading cause of global warming. Abundant research also shows that keeping global warming within 1.5°C depends on the elimination of fossil fuels, yet al-Jaber still made his climate denial claims. A person with this platform should not be spreading such dangerous misinformation.
Establishment-critical narrative
The UAE leader has been clear that his comments about fossil fuels have been taken out of context. However, it is important to note that there is legitimate discourse concerning how much of an impact fossil fuels have on global warming in the context of different kinds of production and whether phasing out oil and gas too quickly could harm humanity. Such fuels are vital to maintaining a modern way of life, and elements of economies and societies could collapse if key energy sources are eliminated too rapidly without alternative infrastructures and updated business models in place. Simply tarring the use of fossil fuels as bad is an oversimplification that could hamper effective climate debate.