States with low dependence on fossil fuels, either for energy or as a domestic economic driver, are best placed to lead the green transition. Often, as US climate envoy John Kerry did at last year’s Cop28, they point the finger at classic petrostates such as Saudi Arabia or Russia for not backing faster action to phase out fossil-fuel extraction.
But, as a Guardian investigation that provides this week’s cover story reveals, states such as the US, Canada, the UK and Norway could be criticised for hypocrisy. As Oliver Milman explains, for all the talking up of green credentials and touting renewable energy projects, these “other petrostates” are engaged in a frenzy of issuing new oil and gas drilling licences that will bust what’s left of the planet’s emissions budget if we want to keep global heating to the 1.5C Paris agreement level.
Nowhere typifies green hero and oil villain duality as much as Norway, reports Ajit Niranjan from Oslo where citizens lead the green transition in a country economically cushioned by a massive sovereign wealth fund derived from oil and gas drilling.
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
1
Spotlight | A town in mourning
Thousands of people packed the narrow streets and squares of Majdal Shams for the funerals of children and young people killed in a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Ruth Michaelson, Quique Kierszenbaum and Sufian Taha report on the mourners’ shock and anger.
2
Science | Life on Mars
US navy microbiologist Anca Selariu tells Richard Luscombe about her experience as part of a four-person Nasa crew who spent a year in a habitat built to replicate the red planet’s conditions.
3
Feature | Gaza voices
All Palestinians in Gaza have been affected by Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks of 7 October, dealing with death, destruction and displacement. Seven of them explain the impact on their lives.
4
Opinion | Will Hutton on Murdoch’s succession drama
The media mogul’s bid to extend rightwing influence beyond the grave should be resisted to the last.
5
Culture | Climate of fear
Despite global heating’s existential threat to humanity, and despite Hollywood’s left-leaning tendencies, the subject rarely makes it to the big screen. David Smith asks why film-makers are so scared to tackle the climate crisis.
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What else we’ve been reading
I’ve not so much been reading as looking at the pictures from the Paris Olympics. You don’t have to be any kind of sports fan (and I’ll readily say I’m not) to enjoy the fantastic work from photographers at the Games showcased daily by Guardian picture editors. Isobel Montgomery, deputy editor
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Other highlights from the Guardian website
• Audio | The sisters Saudi Arabia tried to silence – podcast
• Video | Thousands protest across Venezuela after Maduro declared winner of presidential election
• Gallery | Up on the roof: the homespun art of rural Punjab
• Interactive | South China Sea: a visual guide to the key shoals, reefs and islands
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