UN COP Out? Private Jets and Oil Barons Take on Climate Change
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Can a nation dependent on oil and gas lead the charge on climate change? That's the question the Green Tea Party hosts grapple with regarding COP28 being held in the UAE. In their signature thought-provoking style, Hannah, Zach and Katie dive into everything from greenwashing to private jet hypocrisy as they analyze the motivations and limitations of COP28's petrostate hosts. While optimistic about global cooperation, their debate asks difficult questions about balancing climate activism and fossil fuel interests - and offers key insights into the intersection of energy and environmental policy.
🗣️ Quotes from Hannah Rogers
"Ironic, isn't it? Here we are, trying to solve climate change, and the very people leading the charge are part of the problem with their private jets."
"It looks fishy, it smells fishy. It's kind of like, if it looks fishy, it smells fishy, it might be a fish. That’s how I feel about these big climate summits."
"It's these very wealthy people and very powerful people playing the superhero role and then making themselves feel better as if they've actually accomplished something, when in reality, it’s just a show."
🗣️ Quotes from Katie Zakreski
"Hosted by a major oil and gas producer, COP 28 in the UAE is a unique opportunity to demonstrate a real commitment to cutting emissions. But will they? That remains to be seen."
"Kindness will go a long way as an environmentalist. It’s about building bridges, not burning them, and that’s how we’ll get more people on board."
🗣️ Quotes from Zach Torpey
"How many private jets will fly to COP28 given that many attendees will be wealthy elites?"
"Think globally, act locally. That's the mantra we need to adopt. It's not about waiting for these big international summits to solve everything."
Takeaway?
While COP28 signifies the importance of collaboration on environmental issues, don’t let the folks at COP set the tone for you. You can make a difference in your own community (and probably at a faster pace), regardless of what the big wigs say.
Action Steps: What On Earth Can We Do?
- Local Initiatives: "We emphasize the need for local environmental initiatives, advocating for grassroots actions as a counterbalance to the slow progress of international summits."
- Community Engagement: "We suggest getting involved in community efforts, promoting the idea that working together at a local level can lead to meaningful change."
- Advocacy: "We encourage each other to advocate for change by reaching out to representatives and participating in democratic processes, emphasizing the power of a well-written letter or call to influence policy."
- Continued Learning and Adaptation: "We encourage continuous learning and adaptation, recognizing that environmental challenges and solutions evolve over time."
- Contact your US House Representative
- Contact your US Senators
Learn More
- COP28: Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference
- Revealed: UAE plans huge oil and gas expansion as it hosts UN climate summit
- COP28: Your Guide to the 2023 UN Climate Conference
- 2022 Cop27 gets off to delayed start after tussle over agenda for talks
- Faith-based Engagement at COP28
- COP28 is a moment of truth for the oil and gas industry’s efforts on climate
- World Resources Institute COP28 Resource Hub: Research & Data
Contact Us
email: info @ greenteapartyradio.com
website: https://www.greenteapartyradio.com/
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