Pirate's Cove

Not a one seems capable of processing their own hypocrisy

Activists demand end to fossil fuels at COP28 climate summit

Activists protested over the presence of the oil, gas and coal industry at the COP28 U.N. summit in Dubai on Tuesday, while demanding an end to the use of fossil fuels, which are the major source cause of climate change.

Several dozen activists called for “climate justice”, and carried banners that read “Just + Equitable, Fossil Fuel Phase Out, Stop Fueling the Fire” at the demonstrations, where participants were typically outnumbered by onlookers.

OK, let’s end the use of fossil fuels for the protesters. How will they get home?

While past U.N. climate talks have sparked huge protest rallies, including 2021’s COP26 in Glasgow and 2015’s COP21 in Paris, this year’s demonstrations have been muted in host United Arab Emirates, where freedom of expression is limited.

The U.N. and UAE are allowing pre-approved protests to take place at the COP28 venue and there have been none so far outside the site. Activists taking part in COP28 demonstrations have said they feel stifled and have commented on a lack of presence from any grassroots, local civil society.

“We want to demand an end to all fossil fuels, including abated and unabated,” Zimbabwean activist Lorraine Chiponda, 37, told Reuters after speaking at one of the demonstrations.

Will she be walking or riding a bike back to Zimbabwe?

Colombian activist Andres Gomez, 47, travelled from South America to take part in COP28. He said the transition had to be “equitable” which meant big polluters acting first.

Indigenous activist Thomas Joseph from California said he was worried that the fossil fuel industry was “leading the negotiations” towards a “business as usual” result.

Meanwhile, Filipino activist Jainno Congon, 24, said carbon capture technologies advocated by some were a “dangerous distraction” and a “fake solution” to tackle climate change.

How are they getting home? How’d they get there?