The president of Colombia has cautioned that the growing presence of far-right ideologies worldwide can be attributed to middle-class concerns about jeopardizing their comfortable lifestyle due to green policies.
During a comprehensive discussion with the Guardian at the Cop28 UN climate summit, Gustavo Petro, the first leftist president of Colombia, stated that the global community must discover methods of prosperity that do not rely on carbon, and that his nation’s abundant biodiversity will serve as the foundation of its wealth once fossil fuels are eliminated.
The nation in South America has become a part of a coalition of countries advocating for a treaty to prevent the spread of fossil fuels. Petro stated that his goal is to prevent the destruction of planet Earth.
The 63-year-old ex-rebel leader, who took office in 2022, stated that Brazil must change its perspective on the Amazon in order to protect it from destruction. Petro has opposed Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s views on oil exploration in the world’s biggest rainforest, and has advocated for it to be prohibited.
He stated that protecting the Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in addressing global climate change and that its significance is widely recognized by Colombians.
Despite being a major producer of coal, oil, and gas, Colombia has emerged as a prominent advocate for phasing out fossil fuels during the initial discussions at Cop28.
Petro stated that the consumption habits that bring comfort and a high quality of life in countries like the United States, Europe, and China heavily rely on carbon usage. When the idea of decarbonisation is introduced, this foundation is challenged. Finding a suitable alternative is undoubtedly a challenging task.
“The battle against the climate emergency puts [prosperity] at risk and denies its existence. As a result, there is a growing concern among the middle and upper classes worldwide about the implications of transitioning to a decarbonized economy.”
He stated that the increase in extreme right groups is primarily motivated by fear. The middle class, a dominant force in both Europe and the United States, is concerned about losing their level of consumption, comfort, and standard of living due to societal changes.
He cautioned that immediate measures to reduce emissions were necessary in order to avoid further displacement of individuals due to the effects of the climate emergency.
If we do not take action promptly, there will be a rise in migratory patterns worldwide. This is due to a depletion of water in tropical regions. It is expected that migration will reach hundreds of millions. This is a predictable outcome and could lead to the development of a similar mindset to that seen in Germany during the 1930s, driven by fear of diversity.
He stated that as anti-immigration policies become more severe, the middle and upper classes, including those in white Europe, start to create a feeling of savagery towards the “barbarians” who are attempting to enter.
At the Cop28 event on Tuesday, Colombia became a member of the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, which is a group of governments and organizations dedicated to aiding the transition away from oil and gas production. Petro recognized that fossil fuels currently play a significant role in Colombia’s economy, but noted that this would change once production comes to an end.
He stated that, in his view, biodiversity is the key to our future prosperity and Colombia has the potential to achieve it. The top three countries in terms of biodiversity are Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. It is clear that our abundance lies within these nations.
At a summit organized by Lula in August to coordinate conservation efforts, Petro was a prominent advocate for ending fossil fuel exploration in the Amazon. Despite some progress in reducing deforestation rates in Brazil, Lula has continued to push for oil exploration in environmentally sensitive regions. Additionally, Brazil is scheduled to become a member of the oil cartel Opec in 2024.
When questioned about his differing views with Lula regarding oil exploration, Petro stated that it was due to varying national situations.
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“With increasing temperatures, the Amazon rainforest could potentially experience wildfires, resulting in the release of a large amount of CO2.”2
The atmosphere is receiving back what has been stored for thousands of years. This marks a critical point where there is no turning back. Therefore, protecting the Amazon rainforest is one of the top priorities in the fight against the climate emergency.
Brazil’s mindset must undergo a transformation and we have brought together the governments responsible for the jungle in Leticia, Colombia and Belém do Pará, Brazil. President Lula has been in attendance at all of these gatherings.
“It is significantly more manageable in Colombia. We recognize the significance of the rainforest in Colombia, despite the presence of harmful elements related to illegal mining and money laundering connected to drug trafficking, which has contributed to the destruction of the rainforest.”
The concept of converting the rainforest into extensive agricultural plantations and estates has long been a topic of discussion in Brazil. Unfortunately, numerous indigenous and environmental activists have lost their lives in the fight against this development.
He stated that it is challenging in Brazil to advocate for preserving the rainforest without utilizing its resources and commercializing its lands and territories. This is the reason why someone like Bolsonaro could become a leader.
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Source: theguardian.com
