60 Countries to Meet on Phasing Out Fossil Fuels but Are Excluding the U.S.
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Nearly 60 countries are meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the first global conference focused on phasing out fossil fuels, but the United States was not invited.
- The summit occurs amid a global energy crisis exacerbated by the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, leading to fuel shortages, price spikes, and rationing measures worldwide.
- The instability in the Strait of Hormuz has caused some nations to reconsider their dependence on imported fossil fuels, with some shifting toward renewable energy and others increasing domestic fossil fuel production.
- Global climate negotiations have struggled with commitments to phase out coal, oil, and gas, as these fuels remain the main contributors to climate change; while many countries agreed to transition to renewables in 2023, the U.S. reversed its stance under President Trump.
- The Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Agreement and promoted American fossil fuel exports, absenting itself from key international climate talks and contributing to divisions among nations on fossil fuel phase-out plans.
