“Dangerous” is how Ban Ki-Moon described the world’s relationship to climate change this weekend. The former UN secretary-general questioned whether reactions to the war in Ukraine would help to fix the climate crisis or make it worse. “It’s very short-term gain that will lose the long-term interest of humanity,” he said. “I hope politicians have some longer vision for the benefit of the whole world.”
What politicians plan in the short term looks clear — restrictions on Russian oil and gas, in favour of some green energy activity and toe-curling attempts to curry favour with previously persona non grata regimes. As Ban Ki-Moon was worrying about climate action, Boris Johnson was planning a visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss oil. Indeed, the British Prime Minister will fly to Saudi Arabia this week to try to persuade the country to increase its oil output. The UK has pledged to end Russian oil imports by the end of the year in reaction to the horrors being perpetrated by Moscow in Ukraine. Of course, comparing horrific deeds is a mug’s game, but how can we ignore that on Saturday Saudi Arabia announced it had executed 81 men in 24 hours for acts of terrorism and holding “deviant beliefs”?
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