Asia increases coal reliance amid geopolitical tensions disrupting LNG markets
Original framing: “Asia boosts coal use as Iran war squeezes global LNG supplies - AP News” — AP News (via Google News)
Scientific research consistently shows that increased coal use exacerbates climate change and public health issues. However, the current crisis is being treated as a temporary supply issue rather than a systemic failure of energy policy. Scientific models also highlight the feasibility of rapid renewable energy transitions, which are being ignored in favor of short-term fossil fuel fixes.
The current surge in coal use in Asia is not merely a response to geopolitical tensions but a symptom of deeper systemic failures in energy policy, governance, and cultural values.
Historical patterns of fossil fuel dependency, reinforced by colonial legacies and global market structures, have left many Asian nations vulnerable to supply shocks. Indigenous and non-Western knowledge systems offer alternative frameworks for energy stewardship that emphasize sustainability and community resilience. Scientific evidence supports the feasibility of rapid renewable transitions, yet political and economic power structures continue to favor short-term fossil fuel solutions. To address this crisis, a systemic approach is needed—one that integrates Indigenous knowledge, strengthens regional cooperation, and prioritizes the voices of marginalized communities. Only through such a holistic transformation can Asia build energy systems that are both resilient and just.