Simon Tisdall is correct to name the Opec+ choice to decrease manufacturing by 2m barrels a day “a shocking win for Putin” (Let Saudi Arabia’s friendship with Putin be a wake-up name for the west, 13 October). However anger, sanctions and stopping arms gross sales is an inadequate response. Slightly, the west – and all UN member states – ought to use this second to implement the advice by scientists to maintain 60% to 80% of recognized oil reserves within the floor, thus incentivising the speedy transition from a fossil gasoline financial system to a inexperienced, renewable one.
The Opec+ transfer, and the truth that firms spend billions yearly prospecting for much more fossil gasoline and fracking alternatives, should encourage these assembly at Cop27 throughout the Crimson Sea from Saudi Arabia to create a coalition of the keen to ban the manufacturing, sale and use of fossil fuels by, say, 2030.
The planet has been telling us to do that for a while. Historical past is now piling on compelling arguments to take action sooner slightly than later to cease aggressive dictators of their tracks. However are we listening?
David Woollcombe
Founder and president, Peace Baby Worldwide
Simon Tisdall is correct to name out Joe Biden’s strategy to Saudi Arabia. We all know its human rights document is appalling and we all know of the regime’s involvement in Jamal Khashoggi’s homicide. I imagine change can solely include communication. Severing that achieves nothing. We additionally know our continued habit to grease locations us in a parlous place. Till our recalcitrant authorities invests in renewable infrastructure that weans us off that habit, we have now no alternative however to shout from the sidelines.
Help in fact can come from the folks. A lot anguish was displayed after the acquisition of Newcastle United by Saudi Arabia. However I’m wondering how most of the objectors – principally different golf equipment’ supporters – ask the petrol station attendant the place the gasoline comes from earlier than tanking up their vehicles? Self-serving hypocrisy exists in any respect social ranges, from the president of the US to the typical soccer fan.
Richard Baker
Darlington, County Durham
