Thread by @fossiltreaty

Exactly. So why are false solutions such a big problem? And why don't we need them?

A thread in the context of today's newly published #IPCC report 🧵

https://twitter.com/WarOnWant/status/1637856074165284866

In the face of an undeniably changing climate, the fossil fuel industry and other high-emissions industries, as well as the banks, financiers and other actors who prop them up, have had to invent new tactics. For decades, the tactic was simple: lie

The lies run deep + long. New research this year showed that #ExxonKnew. Their scientists predicted global warming with shocking accuracy yet repeatedly exaggerated climate science uncertainties. Read an important thread from report author @GeoffreySupran

https://twitter.com/GeoffreySupran/status/1613611667254046721

Now, the fossil fuel industry has transitioned to a new tactic: delay. This allows the industry to tout false solutions such as CCS and offsets. They can also invest just enough in clean energy to deflect criticism and ensure that none turn into real competition.

Let's look at CCS specifically. It's the capture, transport and storage of CO2. Check out this article from @climatecouncil for more background climatecouncil.org.au/resources/what…

It is expensive, not proven at scale and today's #IPCC report shows that its potential for reducing emissions is weak in comparison to other options that are already on the market and cost-competitive

In fact, the majority of 13 flagship CCS schemes worldwide, representing 55 per cent of captured carbon dioxide, have either failed entirely or captured much less CO2 than expected. A great article from @adamvaughan_uk in summary
newscientist.com/article/233601…

In many cases, it will be easier and cheaper to build more clean energy like wind and solar and close down old fossil fuel assets. We can meet the twin challenges of phasing out fossil fuels & increasing electricity access at the speed required through scaling up renewable energy

So we don't have time for false solutions. A livable planet that avoids the worst-case climate change scenarios is only possible with the constraint of fossil fuel production.

We aren't on the right track yet, but we can be with urgent action. A new global #FossilFuelTreaty for instance can help countries manage this risk and constrains production in a way that is fast, fair and financed at the scale required to tackle this global crisis.