Climate Change horrors ensue as efforts being made to realise the globally accepted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being hampered by the use and proliferation of fossil fuels.

Image credit: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4520799-long-iea-short-rei-renewable-energy-vs-fossil-fuels-a-wild-west-showdown

According to the UNDP, “the SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.” Its mission statement reads as being, “A shared blueprint for peace and prosperity, for people and the planet, now and into the future”.

These global goals are being stifled, and boxed into corner by fossil fuel use and proliferation; a recent report titled “Fueling Failure” has revealed. The said report is from the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a civil society campaign that brings together several research institutions and NGOs.

In essence, the consequences of continued fossil fuel use go beyond Climate Change and it’s ensuing difficulties.

Co-author of the report, Freddie Daley, a researcher at the University of Sussex is quoted to have said:

“This research lays out the incompatibility of sustainable development and fossil fuels—and what is at stake if we fail to address unchecked fossil fuel expansion. What governments now need to understand is that all policy is climate policy. It’s not just a matter of energy or transport—it’s about health; it’s about the natural world; it’s about children’s education; it’s the building blocks of life. There needs to be a more comprehensive understanding of the scale of the challenge.”

Quote sited by CER at : https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2022/06/01/fossil-fuels-are-weapons-of-mass-destruction-preventing-economic-development-new-report-finds/amp/

The report takes each of the SDGs numbering 17 in all, and explains the impact of fossil fuel use within the sense of each. Putting SDGs 5(Gender Quality), 3(Good Health and Wellbeing), 2(Zero Hunger), 1(No Poverty) and 13(Climate Action) into focus, it read as follows:

*” Climate change exacerbates existing gender inequalities, particularly during natural disasters and extreme weather events. Women disproportionately bear the health and social burdens of fossil fuel processes, such as gas flaring.” This contravenes SDG 5

*” Roughly 8.7 million people died prematurely due to fossil fuel pollution every year between 2012 and 2018. The worsening climate crisis, driven by fossil fuels, is linked with increases in disease, infant mortality and displacement, with devastating impacts on health and wellbeing.” This contravenes SDG 3

*” Increases in global temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, and elevated surface carbon dioxide concentrations from burning fossil fuels will reduce the yields of key crops and push millions into food insecurity. Fossil fuel production and offset schemes pull vast amounts of land away from agricultural uses.” This contravenes SDG 2

*” Fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change, which is set to push 122 million more people into extreme poverty by 2030. Globally, governments spend three times more money on fuel subsidies than the annual amount needed to eradicate poverty.” This contravenes SDG 1

*” Fossil fuel firms are actively undermining climate action through lobbying, donating to politicians and political parties and funding misinformation. Despite all their promises and pledges, fossil fuel firms are not driving the energy transition, they are subverting it.” This contravenes SDG 13.

Also, “Countries in the Global South, where the basic needs of billions of people are currently not being met, are expected to suffer the greatest loss of life, property and economic activity due to climate change despite being least responsible for the problem” – it further identified.

In conclusion, the authors of the report added that:

“Efforts and initiatives to achieve all 17 SDGs must be aligned with a fast and fair fossil fuel phase out. Tackling fossil fuel production will help achieve the SDGs by removing the main driver of global emissions causing climate change. Phasing out fossil fuels will prevent the infrastructure causing permanent damage to natural and human systems, while significantly reducing lethal levels of pollution. A rapid deployment of renewable sources of energy will create inclusive jobs for all, boost energy access, free up government revenues for other purposes such as the pandemic response and education and improve the health and wellbeing of people, communities and nature.”

The aforestated, when chalked would go a long way in safeguarding the integrity of the planet on which we live. Although subject to additions, they would also ensure the continuous survival of the human species.

Full report can be found at:  https://fossilfueltreaty.org/fuelling-failure