Climate contradictions abound at COP28. AP writer Seth Borenstein’s coverage of the mix of good news (some) and bad news (more) influencing the discussions at the climate conference going on in Dubai for the next two weeks tells us how urgent the problem is and how inadequate our efforts have been [“Taking the planet’s pulse on climate,” Gaztte, Nov. 30].
Files recently leaked by a whistleblower reveal that this year’s COP28 host, the United Arab Emirates, had proposed pursuing side deals with a number of countries participating in the conference to promote continued investment in fossil fuels.
This discouraging news casts even more doubt on the integrity of the host country, UAE. On the other hand, there was some good news last week regarding progress in creating a functioning fund to help the poorest and most vulnerable countries cope with damage from the changing climate.
One thing is clear: The delegates must keep the discussions focused on phasing out fossil fuels. Carbon capture and new clean energy technologies can’t make up for the damage from continued high fossil fuel emissions. As U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “It requires the tearing out of the poisoned root of the climate crisis: fossil fuels.” We must be laser-focused on this goal.
Sia Stewart
Conway