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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Jonathan Watts and Fiona Harvey in Santa Marta, Colombia

‘Suicidal’ model of capitalism leading to war and fascism, climate summit told

President Gustavo Petro (C), Colombia's environment minister Irene Velez (L) and Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth Stientje van Veldhoven attend the International Conference seated beneath a giant mural
Gustavo Petro, centre stage: ‘The question that needs to be asked is whether capitalism can truly adapt to a non-fossil energy model.’ Photograph: Raúl Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images

The world is threatened by a “suicidal” model of capitalism that is leading to war, fascism and the potential extinction of humanity, Colombia’s president has said, as he convened 57 governments to address the climate crisis.

Gustavo Petro blamed fossil fuel interests for taking ever more desperate measures to prevent a transition to green energy. “There is inertia in the power and the economy of this archaic form of energy – fossil fuels – that lead to death. Undoubtedly, that form of capital can commit suicide, taking with it humanity and [other] life,” he said. “The question that needs to be asked is whether capitalism can truly adapt to a non-fossil energy model.”

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