Thread by @jasonhickel

In 2022, let us build a political movement capable of dismantling the fossil fuel system and ensuring a just transition for all.

Btw, a just transition must be attentive to global inequality. Rich countries have disproportionately caused this crisis, and have wildly excessive levels of energy use. A just approach means they must reach zero emissions much faster than 2050 (which is a global average target).

This is crucial to give poorer countries more time, and to ensure everyone has energy sufficient for decent living. And that means ending the net appropriation of Southern resources by Northern states and firms, so they can be used instead to meet local human needs.

We also need a strong commitment on reparations for climate damages that have been inflicted on the global South. And this should include technology transfers and patent waivers to facilitate the fastest and smoothest possible energy transition in all countries.

I've articulated this argument here: currentaffairs.org/2021/11/what-w…

here: currentaffairs.org/2021/12/the-ag…

and here: thelancet.com/journals/lanpl…

https://t.co/RKVhi8pGDX

Fossil fuel lobbyists have taken to claiming that climate action is intrinsically anti-poor. This is false. What is anti-poor is to attempt to address the climate crisis without addressing inequality. And this is why are relentless in our call for climate justice.

In fact, much of the South needs to increase energy use to meet basic needs: clean cooking, good housing, cooling, transport, computing, etc. This is 100% compatible with staying under 1.5C, but it requires dramatic cuts in excess energy use of the rich. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Ensuring good lives for all is not an obstacle to climate action. The obstacle is capital accumulation and elite consumption. nature.com/articles/s4146…