2 min read

A joke at COP28

There are more fossil fuel lobbyists at COP28 than ever before. Unsurprising, given that this year COP is led by United Arab Emirate's Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc - an obvious conflict of interest.

Sultan Al Jaber claimed that there is "no science" indicating a phase-out of fossil fuels and also said that a phase-out of coal, oil and gas would take the world "back into caves."

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres was NOT having it and told Cop28 delegates on Friday: “The science is clear: The 1.5C limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce, not abate. Phase out, with a clear timeframe.”

The newest smoke and mirrors language from the fossil fuel industry is the term ABATE - which means they want to continue burning fossil fuels at or above the current rates and use totally ineffective, expensive "abatement technology" to capture carbon dioxide from the exhaust stream. This DOES NOT WORK, as our friend, Standford's scientist Mark Jacobson has proven in a series of papers.

You can watch my interview with Mark Jacobson about his research on how we have all of the technology we need RIGHT NOW to transition to renewable energy...

So in the hottest year on record, with unprecedented fires, floods, hurricanes, and record emissions – 28 years after COP started, we are STILL debating an end to fossil fuels.

Millions of people are already on the frontlines of these climate-induced disasters and billions more will be if we don't stop it.

Like the communities I visited in Kenya, which have been experiencing drought for six years, or the folks in Brazil who experienced 26 inches of rain in 12 hours triggering landslides that wiped out entire villages. This reality will worsen if we don't phase out all fossil fuels NOW.  

And even if we do, we still have to figure out how to take care of each other through these relentless disasters. That is why I am making THE WELCOME TABLE - a film about the displacement of millions and the loss of culture, people, entire species that is happening now - as a result of climate change.

I'm asking that you chip in anything you can to help us finish this film -- please, if you can, donate today: https://bit.ly/SupportTheWelcomeTable

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Love and rage and change,

Josh Fox + The International WOW Team

P.S. If you can't donate, no worries, we know it's super hard out here right now. Share the trailer and enjoy our collection of films FREE and tons of other shorts and interviews!