Fossil Fuel Frenzy Plunges Billions into Peril: World Leaders Under Pressure to Break 'Obsession'
A stark warning has been issued by Amnesty International, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of the world's relentless pursuit of fossil fuel expansion. The organisation's report paints a dire picture, exposing the alarming impact of this "obsession" on human lives and the environment.
The reality is that nearly 2 billion people – roughly one-quarter of the global population – live within five kilometres of at least 18,000 operational fossil fuel infrastructure sites. This staggering number is set to balloon further with over 3,500 new projects in development, affecting an additional 135 million individuals. The repercussions are dire: proximity to these facilities increases the risk of cancer, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and other health problems.
Moreover, Amnesty International's chief, Agnes Callamard, has denounced the fossil fuel industry as a "major source of human rights violations." Her organisation has documented cases of killings, enforced disappearances, and intimidation of environmental activists and Indigenous communities resisting fossil fuel projects. The report also reveals that 16.1 percent of global fossil fuel infrastructure is sited on Indigenous territories, highlighting a disturbing pattern of cultural appropriation and exploitation.
As the world grapples with the existential threat posed by climate change, world leaders are under mounting pressure to reconsider their addiction to fossil fuels. At the COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil, Amnesty International's call to action was clear: "The age of fossil fuel must end now." With 80 percent of people worldwide demanding stronger action against the climate crisis, and a staggering 72 percent supporting a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, it is becoming increasingly clear that the status quo cannot be sustained.
Amnesty International's report serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of our collective failure to address this issue. As world leaders convene to discuss their strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative that they acknowledge the catastrophic impact of their inaction and pledge to take decisive action. The clock is ticking; can we afford to wait any longer?
A stark warning has been issued by Amnesty International, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of the world's relentless pursuit of fossil fuel expansion. The organisation's report paints a dire picture, exposing the alarming impact of this "obsession" on human lives and the environment.
The reality is that nearly 2 billion people – roughly one-quarter of the global population – live within five kilometres of at least 18,000 operational fossil fuel infrastructure sites. This staggering number is set to balloon further with over 3,500 new projects in development, affecting an additional 135 million individuals. The repercussions are dire: proximity to these facilities increases the risk of cancer, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and other health problems.
Moreover, Amnesty International's chief, Agnes Callamard, has denounced the fossil fuel industry as a "major source of human rights violations." Her organisation has documented cases of killings, enforced disappearances, and intimidation of environmental activists and Indigenous communities resisting fossil fuel projects. The report also reveals that 16.1 percent of global fossil fuel infrastructure is sited on Indigenous territories, highlighting a disturbing pattern of cultural appropriation and exploitation.
As the world grapples with the existential threat posed by climate change, world leaders are under mounting pressure to reconsider their addiction to fossil fuels. At the COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil, Amnesty International's call to action was clear: "The age of fossil fuel must end now." With 80 percent of people worldwide demanding stronger action against the climate crisis, and a staggering 72 percent supporting a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, it is becoming increasingly clear that the status quo cannot be sustained.
Amnesty International's report serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of our collective failure to address this issue. As world leaders convene to discuss their strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative that they acknowledge the catastrophic impact of their inaction and pledge to take decisive action. The clock is ticking; can we afford to wait any longer?