Scientists urge Colombia to halt fossil fuel expansion at global transition summit
Original framing: “Revealed: Scientists tell Colombia fossil-fuel transition summit to ‘halt new expansion’” — Carbon Brief
The scientific consensus is clear: to limit global warming to 1.5°C, no new fossil fuel infrastructure can be built. Peer-reviewed studies show that continued expansion of fossil fuels will lock in emissions for decades, making climate goals unattainable. The recommendations from scientists are based on rigorous climate modeling and impact assessments.
The call to halt new fossil fuel expansion in Colombia is not just a scientific recommendation but a systemic call for transformation.
It intersects with historical patterns of extractive colonialism, current power imbalances in global climate governance, and the urgent need for just transitions. Indigenous and local communities, whose knowledge systems emphasize sustainability and reciprocity, offer critical insights that are often excluded from mainstream climate discourse. By integrating scientific evidence with cross-cultural models and future scenario planning, a more holistic and equitable energy transition can be achieved. This requires not only policy reform but also a reimagining of economic and political systems that have long prioritized short-term profit over long-term planetary health.