A Gloomy Future for Climate Talks: US, Russia, Saudi Arabia Form 'Axis of Obstruction'
In a devastating blow to the world's efforts to combat climate change, the US, along with Russia and Saudi Arabia, has solidified its position as an "axis of obstruction" that is actively working to undermine progress on reducing fossil fuels. The three countries' refusal to budge on their stance against climate action has left many feeling frustrated and defeated.
The latest display of this axis came at the recent UN climate summit in Brazil, where over 194 countries gathered to discuss a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. However, despite the US's decision not to send any representatives to the summit, which marked the first time the country had skipped the event in over 30 years, the outcome was little different from previous conferences.
The lack of progress on reducing fossil fuels was largely due to fierce opposition from Saudi Arabia, which has been cajoled by the US to take a more moderate line at climate talks. However, even without the US's efforts to discredit climate change as a "hoax" and a "con job", the three countries' combined stance has made it clear that they are not willing to work towards a solution.
"This is what we call an increasingly bitter conflict at the heart of global climate politics," said Michael Jacobs, a thinktank expert. "We're seeing countries actively resisting efforts to reduce fossil fuels in pursuit of their short-term energy interests."
The US's stance on climate change has been particularly egregious, with the Trump administration stripping protections from streams and wetlands, making it harder to prevent species from becoming extinct, and ushering oil and gas drilling into more than 1 billion acres of US waters.
However, despite this progress, there is still a sense that the world is moving away from fossil fuels. For the first time last year, double the amount of money globally was invested in renewables like wind and solar compared to traditional energy sources.
China, meanwhile, has taken a leading role as a clean energy superpower, outstripping its competitor and earning more money from exporting green technology than America does from exporting fossil fuels.
While there is still a long way to go, it's clear that the "axis of obstruction" may be slowing down progress on climate change, but it's unlikely to halt it altogether. As former US Vice-President Al Gore said after the summit: "The rest of the world is fed up with delay and denial. Just as we have passed Peak Trump, I believe we have also passed Peak Petrostate."
In a devastating blow to the world's efforts to combat climate change, the US, along with Russia and Saudi Arabia, has solidified its position as an "axis of obstruction" that is actively working to undermine progress on reducing fossil fuels. The three countries' refusal to budge on their stance against climate action has left many feeling frustrated and defeated.
The latest display of this axis came at the recent UN climate summit in Brazil, where over 194 countries gathered to discuss a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. However, despite the US's decision not to send any representatives to the summit, which marked the first time the country had skipped the event in over 30 years, the outcome was little different from previous conferences.
The lack of progress on reducing fossil fuels was largely due to fierce opposition from Saudi Arabia, which has been cajoled by the US to take a more moderate line at climate talks. However, even without the US's efforts to discredit climate change as a "hoax" and a "con job", the three countries' combined stance has made it clear that they are not willing to work towards a solution.
"This is what we call an increasingly bitter conflict at the heart of global climate politics," said Michael Jacobs, a thinktank expert. "We're seeing countries actively resisting efforts to reduce fossil fuels in pursuit of their short-term energy interests."
The US's stance on climate change has been particularly egregious, with the Trump administration stripping protections from streams and wetlands, making it harder to prevent species from becoming extinct, and ushering oil and gas drilling into more than 1 billion acres of US waters.
However, despite this progress, there is still a sense that the world is moving away from fossil fuels. For the first time last year, double the amount of money globally was invested in renewables like wind and solar compared to traditional energy sources.
China, meanwhile, has taken a leading role as a clean energy superpower, outstripping its competitor and earning more money from exporting green technology than America does from exporting fossil fuels.
While there is still a long way to go, it's clear that the "axis of obstruction" may be slowing down progress on climate change, but it's unlikely to halt it altogether. As former US Vice-President Al Gore said after the summit: "The rest of the world is fed up with delay and denial. Just as we have passed Peak Trump, I believe we have also passed Peak Petrostate."
the US, Russia, and Saudi Arabia are like a big ol' brick wall trying to stop us from making progress on reducing fossil fuels it's super frustrating when countries aren't willing to work together for the greater good. but at the same time, i think there is still hope 
that gives me a glimmer of optimism. and it's cool that al gore said something so insightful about passing peak petrostate lol. we just need to keep pushing forward and supporting each other in our fight against climate change 
like what's next? are they gonna make climate change a thing that's optional now? 
it's wild to think that the US, Russia and Saudi Arabia can just block progress on something as important as this. i mean, come on guys get over yourselves! 
we need action not drama. the fact that china is leading the charge on clean energy is actually kinda inspiring 
and let's be real who needs fossil fuels when you have innovation and determination? 
man... thinkin' about this whole climate thing and it's like, what even is progress anymore? 
US, Russia, Saudi Arabia, just straight up refusin' to budge on reducin' fossil fuels. It's like they're willin' to destroy the planet than make some compromises. 
We still got a looong way to go, but what really gets me is the US and Saudi Arabia's "axis of obstruction" is just so clear-cut. It's like they're in cahoots or somethin'. 
And what about all the money bein' invested in renewables? 
Is that enough to make up for the damage we already done? 
It's like, we gotta keep pushin', but also acknowledge that we can't do it alone. 
but at what cost? we cant keep living like this knowing that our actions are gonna be the last thing on earth for generations to come its time for us to take a step back and reevaluate what we really want for ourselves and the planet
. And let's be real, China is just playing both sides against each other 
. We've got scientists saying one thing, but politicians like Trump and Putin doing another 
. And don't even get me started on the renewables vs fossil fuels debate - it's all just a bunch of hooey 
. Give me a break when someone tells me that wind and solar are going to save us from ourselves 
.
. It's not like we're even getting close to running out of oil or gas anytime soon 
️. I'm good - I'll just keep on driving my gas-guzzler and enjoying the ride 
.
.
It's not that hard to understand. And with all the progress we're making in renewable energy (double the investment in renewables last year!), I'm hoping we can still make some real changes without these countries holding us back 
meanwhile china is over here like "weve got this, america" 
and usa is still trying to deny climate change is real 
The geysers were insane, and I swear I saw a bison up close 
. I was thinking about how America's natural beauty is still intact despite all these climate talks going on 
️ It's literally run by a couple who met at a renewable energy conference 
meanwhile, saudi arabia is just straight up refusing 2 do anything. it's like, what's next? are we gonna have to skip school 4 real or wut 