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What Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Could Mean for Climate Change
Whether nations pursue domestic fossil fuel expansion or embrace renewables will have dramatic consequences on decarbonization efforts
First and foremost, my heart goes out to the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who are fighting for their lives, their country, and their values against an onslaught of Russian forces that seek to overthrow the Ukrainian government and bring the country under Russia’s control. There has already been much bloodshed in this senseless foolish invasion, and I fear this is only the beginning. I stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and admire their bravery in the face of such an intimidating and destructive force.
With most of the world’s attention focused on the immediate conflict and how to best limit further escalations, it is easy to forget about the many other threats and crises we face — as they become essentially background noise. The international focus on climate change is likely to take a backseat as nations navigate this new conflict and decide how to respond to it, much like what happened with the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not intended to be a criticism as it is only natural and rational to respond to more immediate threats whether it be a pandemic or war before dealing with…