New North Sea oil licences will be catastrophic for our climate and do nothing for security
New oil and gas exploration licences will be catastrophic for our climate and do nothing for national security, say the Scottish Greens, who have warned that the climate crisis is the greatest security threat that our planet will ever face.
The Party has called for a major investment in green energy. This comes as the UK Government has announced the Prime Minister and Energy Secretary will meet with fossil fuel giants and others this week to discuss energy security.
The World Health Organisation has said that climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030-2050.
The Scottish Greens’ energy and climate spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, said:
“Our world is on fire. We only have to look at the horrific heatwaves and wildfires in Greece to see the devastating and deadly impact of environmental breakdown.
“Selling off even more of our North Sea to polluters will be catastrophic for our climate, and will do absolutely nothing for our security.
“The climate crisis is the greatest security threat that our planet will ever face. It is already a matter of life and death for people and communities around the world and, without serious action, it will only become worse.
“It beggars belief that any government would choose this moment to double down on the fossil fuels that are already doing so much damage and endangering so many lives.
“As temperatures rise it will mean more crop failures, more droughts and evermore extreme weather events. Without fast and far reaching change, the destruction we have seen in Greece and across Europe could become the new normal.
“Green energy is the safest, cheapest and cleanest energy available.
“We have a huge renewable potential and an abundance of natural resources that any country would envy.
“That is exactly where we should be investing rather than relying on a fossil fuel-based economy that means skyhigh bills for households and families across the country, and where global prices are at the mercy of autocrats and dictators.
“A fair and just transition is an environmental necessity, and is absolutely key to our security.”
