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The USA and UN Clash on Climate and Energy Ideologies Ahead of COP30

As the COP30 Climate Conference draws closer, the United States and the United Nations are at odds with their perspectives on climate and energy policies, according to a statement from the Friends of Science Society. The US is taking significant steps to dismantle established climate dogma, including a new climate science report by the Department of Energy (DOE) and plans by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rescind the “CO2 endangerment” finding, which has been pivotal in shaping the narrative around climate change and drives towards decarbonization through electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy.

In stark contrast, the UN has released a report advocating for intensified efforts in renewables and electrification, which highlights the divergence in climate strategies between the two entities. As noted by Friends of Science Society, this growing ideological divide has set the stage for a significant debate at next month’s conference in Belem, Brazil.

US DOE Report Challenges Climate Consensus

In a bold move, the US issued a climate report that challenges the mainstream 'consensus' surrounding climate change. Officials from the Friends of Science Society assert that this new report contradicts years of accepted narratives surrounding the climate crisis and aligns with emerging research from independent scientists. Notable contributors to this report include Judith Curry and Steve Koonin, who have both recently authored essential books on climate science and policy. Moreover, the DOE report echoes sentiments raised by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who emphasized the importance of presenting a balanced view of climate science. “What I've found is that media coverage often distorts the science,” Wright mentions in the report's introduction, advocating for clarity and a broader understanding of the issues at hand.

In terms of practical implications, the retraction of the CO2 endangerment finding could provide a significant competitive edge for US industries. The Friends of Science Society claims this move could help save over $54 billion annually for the auto sector alone, allowing consumers to choose between gas-fueled vehicles and EVs, unlike in Canada, where a stringent target for 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035 has been set.

UN Report Calls for Renewables Surge

Conversely, the UN report, titled 'Supercharging the new energy era of renewables,' calls for an ambitious tripling of renewable energy sources while phasing out fossil fuels altogether. The Friends of Science Society critiques this report for its over-hyperbolic claims and perceived logical fallacies. They argue that such an approach ignores the realities of energy demands and the current capabilities of renewable technology. For instance, Vaclav Smil pointed out that transitioning to wind energy inherently requires fossil fuel utilization, a contradiction that the UN fails to acknowledge.

Moreover, the UN's insistence on a 100% renewable energy mandate for AI data centers is criticized as unrealistic considering the high energy demands associated with artificial intelligence processes. The Friends of Science Society has highlighted concerns over increasing costs and unreliability of wind and solar energy, particularly illustrated by the UK's struggles with spiraling electricity prices amidst its transition to renewables.

In response, US regulators under Wright are taking proactive measures to provide secure, reliable baseload power for AI centers, ensuring that infrastructure can accommodate the increasing energy needs while avoiding pitfalls seen in other countries.

Friends of Science Society's Position

With this backdrop, the Friends of Science Society push forward with their message as they celebrate their 23rd year. They maintain that thorough scientific analysis points to solar activity as the primary driver of climate change rather than carbon dioxide emissions. This position seeks to encourage a more nuanced and factual discussion about global climate policies ahead of the contentious COP30 conference.

As political leaders and energy policymakers prepare for the upcoming conference, the ideological rift between the US and UN may play a determining role in shaping future climate accords. With both sides presenting compelling arguments, the global community will be closely watching how these discussions unfold in November.