A Clarion Call for Renewables: Bishop Urges WEF Attendees to Divest from Fossil Fuels

From the heart of South Africa, the message to the global elites gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos is clear and unequivocal: the survival of our planet and the legacy of future generations depend on an urgent pivot towards renewable energy and a steadfast commitment to divest from fossil fuels.

The recent discussions and decisions—or lack thereof—at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) sounded a clarion call that could no longer be ignored. Fossil fuels, long the backbone of modern industry and comfortable lifestyles, have come at an unbearable cost, now more evident than ever with the escalating severity and frequency of extreme weather events around the globe.

These climate catastrophes wreak havoc, tallying up billions of dollars in damage and more tragically, human suffering—all under the shadow of a mere 1.3°C rise in global temperatures. The future looks bleaker still if proactive measures are not enacted to rein in the mercury's ascent towards the 1.5°C, or even the 2°C thresholds.

For the sake of clarity, let's underline two foundational principles. First, Earth is our only home; its well-being is non-negotiable. Destroy it, and no wealth can redeem us. Second, our primary goal must be the fostering of planetary health, not profit maximization.

The evidence that renewable energy—be it solar, wind, hydro, or others—is ample to meet our electricity needs is resolute. Some nations are already reaping the benefits of this transition. What's needed now are swift redirected investments aimed at constructing the infrastructure to support renewable energy, concomitantly easing out the remnants of fossil fuel dependency.

The Covid-19 pandemic offered a glimpse into the potential for change. Images from India where the Himalayan peaks emerged, stark and clear against blue skies, once smog had dissipated, offered a vision of what could be. We've already lost much—glaciers retreat, the Antarctic thaws—but we still have the power to slow these losses and offer our children the hope of a sustainable world.

Satish Kumar and voices like his advocate for a paradigm shift in our relationship with nature. It's a call to recognize that we're part of an interconnected, living ecosystem, which unlike our linear economies, operates in cycles—efficient, wasteless, and balanced.

The call at Davos is for all efforts, all investments to nurture this living organism we call home. COP28 might not have met the expectations in terms of its resolution on fossil fuels, but it does not preclude action from each nation and investment body. It is high time for companies and countries alike to champion renewable energy and rid themselves of fossil fuel investments.

In South Africa, the opening up of the coastline to seismic exploration seems counterintuitive, if not contradictory to this global calling. Namibia's fracking ventures in the Okavango Delta and the immense East African Crude Oil Pipeline development serve as sobering reminders of the enduring allure and mighty grip of fossil fuel investments, which threaten ecosystems, human communities, and ethical investing ideologies alike.

This earnest plea is made not on impulsive environmental activism but on deeply rooted ethical and biblical foundations. The Scriptures enjoin us to safeguard our planet and to uphold justice and equity, hallmarks of divine intention for humanity and the cosmos.

Inequity not only strains the social fabric but also the environment. The disproportionate earnings of top CEOs and sports stars highlight how skewed our value systems have become. If it's the prestige, not the money, that drives excellence, shouldn't the rewards reflect a more equitable distribution?

Following the teachings and exemplary compassion of Christ, it becomes evident that if our planet and humanity are to find peace and sustained prosperity, our actions must mirror heavenly ideals of justice, love, and peace here on Earth.

The time for debate has passed. The World Economic Forum must now be a fulcrum for transformative change, leading the world into an era where renewable energy reigns, and fossil fuels become a fading memory. For the sake of our children, our only home, and the very essence of life, the shift towards sustainable energies cannot wait.