Neo-liberalism

Our world is hurtling into climate disaster and what do politicians give us? Oilfields and new runways

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https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/30/climate-disaster-oilfields-runways-pragmatism-emissions

Fossil Free London protesters on Westminster Bridge, London, demonstrate against drilling at the UK’s largest untapped oilfield, 16 July 2025. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

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The excuse most often provided for turning away from green measures, for expanding fossil fuel production, for ignoring the science, is pragmatism. The idea being that, yes, the climate emergency is serious, but we have to be practical – we have to consider other things too, inevitably ensuring business as usual, protecting the bottom line and keeping consumer capitalism in the fast lane. The fact is that this is dangerous drivel. Pragmatism is only possible when feasible alternatives are available. Where climate breakdown is concerned, there is no alternative. The climate doesn’t recognise pragmatism. We either slash emissions now or we are in deep, deep trouble.

In 2024, the temperature of the planet topped the 1.5C temperature-rise threshold for the first time (since preindustrial times), and according to the UK Met Office, there is a 70% chance that the average temperature rise over the next five years will be above this. A recent report by the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and Exeter University forecasts that a 2C global temperature hike by 2050 would see a 25% collapse in the global economy and 2 billion people dead. This is what the end game of a “pragmatic” climate strategy looks like.

We can no longer pretend that we are sleepwalking into climate catastrophe. We are doing it consciously, with our eyes wide open, and hang the consequences. The truth is that on a rapidly heating planet, a pragmatic approach means that we are playing Russian roulette with all six barrels loaded. The only question is just how big a mess we will make when we pull the trigger.

  • Bill McGuire is professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at UCL and author of Hothouse Earth: an Inhabitant’s Guide

See the original article at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/30/climate-disaster-oilfields-runways-pragmatism-emissions

Nigel Farage urges you to ignore facts and reality and be a climate science denier like him and his Deputy Richard Tice. He says that Reform UK has received £Millions and £Millions from the fossil fuel industry to promote climate denial and destroy the planet.
Nigel Farage urges you to ignore facts and reality and be a climate science denier like him and his Deputy Richard Tice. He says that Reform UK has received £Millions and £Millions from the fossil fuel industry to promote climate denial and destroy the planet.
Donald Trump urges you to be a Climate Science denier like him. He says that he makes millions and millions for destroying the planet, Burn, Baby, Burn and Flood, Baby, Flood.
Donald Trump urges you to be a Climate Science denier like him. He says that he makes millions and millions for destroying the planet, Burn, Baby, Burn and Flood, Baby, Flood.
Orcas comment on killer apes destroying the planet by continuing to burn fossil fuels.
Orcas comment on killer apes destroying the planet by continuing to burn fossil fuels.

Continue ReadingOur world is hurtling into climate disaster and what do politicians give us? Oilfields and new runways

UK Government urged to ‘do the right thing’ and reject Rosebank development

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https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/uk-government-government-donald-trump-nigel-farage-oil-b1253103.html

Climate campaigners say the Rosebank oil field will be a ‘defining test’ of the government’s credibility on climate change. (Lucy North/PA)

Equinor, which owns the majority of the oil field, stressed it was committed to advancing the ‘Rosebank project’

Climate campaigners have challenged the UK Government to “do the right thing” and turn down plans for drilling in the Rosebank oil field.

The group Uplift – which wants to see a “rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK” – said whether the green light is granted for the development would be the “defining test of this Government’s credibility on climate change”.

It came as it was confirmed Equinor, which owns an 80% majority stake in the oil field, confirmed it has submitted a scope 3 assessment – setting out all associated greenhouse gas emissions for the project, in compliance with new guidelines from UK authorities.

And the company said it is “fully committed” to working with all relevant bodies to “advance the Rosebank project”.

The Rosebank field, which is located some 80 miles west of Shetland, is the UK’s largest untapped oil field and is estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels of oil.

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Robin Wells, director of Fossil Free London, said: “In the face of this decision on the biggest undeveloped oil field in the North Sea, we must be crystal clear. Rosebank will be the defining test of this Government’s climate promise.”

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https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/uk-government-government-donald-trump-nigel-farage-oil-b1253103.html

Nigel Farage urges you to ignore facts and reality and be a climate science denier like him and his Deputy Richard Tice. He says that Reform UK has received £Millions and £Millions from the fossil fuel industry to promote climate denial and destroy the planet.
Nigel Farage urges you to ignore facts and reality and be a climate science denier like him and his Deputy Richard Tice. He says that Reform UK has received £Millions and £Millions from the fossil fuel industry to promote climate denial and destroy the planet.
Donald Trump urges you to be a Climate Science denier like him. He says that he makes millions and millions for destroying the planet, Burn, Baby, Burn and Flood, Baby, Flood.
Donald Trump urges you to be a Climate Science denier like him. He says that he makes millions and millions for destroying the planet, Burn, Baby, Burn and Flood, Baby, Flood.
Orcas comment on killer apes destroying the planet by continuing to burn fossil fuels.
Orcas comment on killer apes destroying the planet by continuing to burn fossil fuels.
Continue ReadingUK Government urged to ‘do the right thing’ and reject Rosebank development

Oil companies’ tax cuts for job demand branded ‘extortion’

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/oil-companies-tax-cuts-job-demand-branded-extortion

 The oil platform Stena Spey is moved with tugboats amongst other rigs that have been left in the Cromarty Firth near Invergordon in the Highlands of Scotland

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners dismissed oil industry demands for tax cuts to safeguard jobs and the supply chain as “extortion” today.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s comments come after trade association Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) published an open letter to industry minister Chris McDonald, urging the government to work with it to phase out the temporary Energy Profits Levy (EPL) or windfall tax, and implement a permanent tax regime from 2026.

OEUK argued that if the government does as it proposes, the present 1,000 jobs a month being lost in the sector could be turned around to generate 23,000 additional jobs by 2030, add £137bn to the economy and “safeguard the UK’s energy transition.”

But FoE’s Rosie Hampton was unconvinced, saying: “This menacing letter is little more than extortion with the oil and gas industry threatening to sack even more workers if they aren’t allowed to make larger profits.

“Energy companies have made off with over a half a trillion pounds in profits since the start of the energy price crisis, yet they are consistently whingeing about having to pay a tiny fraction of this back to fund the vital public services.

“Jobs in oil and gas have halved since 2014 despite hundreds of licences issued during that time.

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Continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/oil-companies-tax-cuts-job-demand-branded-extortion

Orcas comment on killer apes destroying the planet by continuing to burn fossil fuels.
Orcas comment on killer apes destroying the planet by continuing to burn fossil fuels.
Continue ReadingOil companies’ tax cuts for job demand branded ‘extortion’

Britain braces for misery Budget

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-braces-misery-budget

 Chancellor of Exchequer Rachel Reeves during a visit to the Sipsmith Distillery in Chiswick West London, October 9, 2025

BRITAIN must brace for a misery Budget of tax rises and spending cuts, beleaguered Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed today as experts also warned of rising unemployment.

Ms Reeves alleged that the economic problems she is struggling with could be attributed to Brexit, as the government increasingly protests about Britain’s exclusion from the European Union, a pose with potentially far-reaching political implications.

She brought an end to weeks of speculation by confirming that tax rises will feature in her Budget, scheduled for the end of November.

However, she did not indicate where the burden would fall. Labour committed at the general election to not raise income tax, VAT or employees’ National Insurance, pledges now regarded as a straitjacket.

While there are other measures the Chancellor could announce, they would not be likely to raise as much cash. She has firmly set her face against a wealth tax so far.

Ms Reeves also indicated that spending cuts will be on the Budget agenda. Her drive to cut the welfare Bill through reducing benefits for disabled people was thwarted in the summer by a backbench Labour rebellion.

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Continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-braces-misery-budget

Continue ReadingBritain braces for misery Budget

Thames Water want to pollute illegally until 2040

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Continue ReadingThames Water want to pollute illegally until 2040