· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Financial Times or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Climate change and the energy transition are increasingly sources of conflict
• Conservative and far-right parties weaponize these issues in culture wars, while countries dependent on fossil fuels face potential rebellion and violence as they shift away from oil
🔭 The context: Countries like Iraq, Libya, and Nigeria, whose economies rely heavily on fossil fuels, are particularly vulnerable
• Regions mining minerals essential for renewable technologies, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, also risk conflict over control of resources
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The transition to renewable energy must consider not only environmental sustainability but also the social and political stability of affected communities
• Unaddressed, the shift could exacerbate violence and undermine global peace efforts
⏭️ What's next: More rigorous assessments of conflict risks in renewable energy investments are needed
• Countries must diversify their economies, and renewable projects should prioritize decentralization and local benefits to mitigate potential conflicts
💬 One quote: “Sustainability needs to apply not just to the production or storage of energy, but also to the rights of the affected communities.”
📈 One stat: The Democratic Republic of Congo holds 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves, essential for batteries used in renewable energy technologies
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