As controversy over fossil fuels rages, health groups warn of their toll

Health groups at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference have made it clear that the world needs to phase out fossil fuels given the harm they inflict on people and the planet. But it has been a contentious issue in climate change negotiations, and it became a firestorm of controversy following remarks by the COP 28 president himself, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber.

Al-Jaber is currently battling criticism after claiming that there’s “no science” that says phasing out fossil fuels will limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. He made the remarks during a heated exchange with Mary Robinson, chair of The Elders and former president of Ireland, as reported by The Guardian.

Scientists, however, have been saying that drastically cutting fossil fuels would greatly reduce emissions — and deaths. And it should not just be coal, but all fossil fuels, including oil, on which COP 28’s host country, the United Arab Emirates, built its wealth. But it’s far from certain that countries will make a breakthrough in fossil fuel language at this year’s COP.