oil and gas drilling
Credit: TebNad/Big Stock Photo
Brazil's oil ambitions conflict with environmental promises
In a striking contrast to its environmental pledges, Brazil is ramping up oil production, potentially becoming a top global producer.
In short:
- Brazil's state-run oil company, Petrobras, plans to significantly increase oil production, aiming to become the world's third-largest oil producer by 2030.
- This expansion challenges President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's environmental and climate commitments, including reducing Amazon deforestation and promoting renewable energy.
- Despite global calls for reducing fossil fuel reliance, Petrobras and Brazil see their oil development as essential for economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Key quote:
“Having it both ways is very much part of Brazil’s policy DNA.”
— Oliver Stuenkel, professor at the School of International Relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo
Why this matters:
Investing in new oil infrastructure and exploration can lock in dependency on fossil fuels for decades, diverting resources from renewable energy investments. This not only hampers the transition to a greener economy but also risks creating stranded assets—investments that will become obsolete as the world moves towards more sustainable energy sources.
In the U.S., oil and gas production is responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages.
Keep reading...Show less
Photo by David Huck on Unsplash
Toxic gas putting millions at risk in Middle East, BBC finds
The UAE, hosts of the COP28 climate summit, is breaking its own ban on gas flaring, the BBC finds.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Climate protesters around the globe sharpen their message and head to New York
Ahead of U.N. meetings this week, thousands are marching through Midtown to demand that President Biden and other world leaders stop new oil and gas drilling.
Newsletter
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
History of racism leaves Black Californians most at risk from oil and gas drilling, new research shows
Even as fossil fuel extraction declined in the state, low-income, Black and Hispanic residents continued to face disproportionate risks from living near wells, and Black residents were exposed to the most intensive operations.
AFGE/Flickr
Murkowski won big time with Biden’s oil project. She knows it, too.
The Alaska Republican details her years-long campaign to win over the president's team.
Newsletter
Bureau of Land Manageme/Flickr
Biden to put Arctic Ocean off limits to drilling even as he readies approval for Willow oil project
The president will put the entire Arctic Ocean off limits to oil and gas leasing Monday, according to a White House official, as the administration nears approval of the Willow drilling project in Alaska.
Newsletter
New NASA camera spots methane 'super emitter' in New Mexico
An International Space Station instrument looks for dust, finds methane vent in the Permian Basin.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
