From scientists in the columns of Le Monde to activists demonstrating around the world: demands for the creation of a treaty on the non-proliferation of fossil fuels are becoming more and more visible. We take stock with NOWU, the environmental digital media from France Télévisions.
On September 14, a column signed by very big names in climate science and published in The world demanded that France support a treaty on the non-proliferation of fossil fuels. From September 15 to 17, demonstrations took place all over the world with the same slogan.
Where did the idea of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty originate?
These demands take up the proposal of Vanuatu and Tuvalu, small Pacific States which risk disappearing under the waters if nothing changes. Tuvalu for example has already seen some of its cemeteries washed away by the waves and on the territory of this small island water regularly comes out of the soil which is soaked in it. For these States, limiting global warming to a 1.5°C increase in average temperatures on Earth is therefore literally a question of survival.
What is the link between fossil fuels and climate change?
Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions. And the consumption of fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal is what emits the most. These energies are responsible for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
It is this observation which led the International Energy Agency to recommend no longer starting new explorations and exploitations for oil or gas, nor new coal mines or expansion of those that exist from 2021. This was the condition for remaining under the famous 1.5 °C of global warming. The UN itself in his last inventory published this month indicates that we must gradually move away from fossil fuels.
However, companies in the fossil industries continue to invest in gas, oil and coal, like Total, which announced in September the launch ofa new oil project in Surinamewhich will ultimately aim to extract 200,000 barrels per day.
What could the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty be used for?
According to its promoters, the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty would facilitate a shift away from fossil fuels, similar to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
It would be based on 3 pillars:
- Non-proliferation: stop expanding the exploitation of oil, gas, or coal deposits as recommended by scientists
- A fair plan: cause nations historically responsible for climate changewho are also the richest, make the fastest and strongest efforts
- A just transition: operate in such a way that workers in the fossil sector are not left behind, nor any community or nation, and to do this strongly develop renewable energies
The idea is to plan this evolution. And even if not all countries will sign this type of treaty, it would allow “stigmatize” producers of fossil fuels and ultimately this production becomes unacceptable and stops.
So far, six states support this initiative, as well as the European Parliament, the World Health Organization, thousands of civil society organizations and hundreds of thousands of people.
NOWU it’s the positive media to get informed and take action for the planet! Its mission: to enable young people to become actors in the face of environmental challenges through guilt-free and solution-oriented content.