fossil fuels

An ABC Four Corners investigation says it has obtained the largest ever set of leaked internal documents from mining giant BHP. The files reportedly show the company was locking in fossil fuel use while publicly stating it was committed to going green, raising questions about the gap between its climate messaging and its actual business plans.

Oil spills linked to the war are spreading through the Strait of Hormuz toward coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems, raising alarm among environmental groups. Greenpeace warns that fossil fuel dependence is placing people, nature and economies at risk, and is calling for a shift to clean, decentralised energy to prevent future damage.

Scientists and commentators are weighing what is driving this summer's extreme heat, pointing to a combination of El Niño conditions and long-term climate change caused by burning fossil fuels. Greenhouse gas emissions are pushing global temperatures higher, making heatwaves more frequent and intense, and some warn that 2027 could bring even worse conditions as these factors compound.

A new claim ties Shell's oil pollution to nearly a quarter of global heatwaves, prompting calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make fossil fuel companies pay compensation for extreme weather damage. Andy Burnham is associated with the campaign, and climate campaigners are urging the UK government to hold major polluters financially accountable for climate-related losses.

Commenters are arguing that many governments have been captured by the fossil fuel industry and petrostates, leaving taxpayers effectively funding the burning of oil, gas and coal. They cite a Scientific American figure of $4.5 trillion a year in global fossil fuel subsidies, framing the money as public support for the very emissions governments claim to be cutting.

A Senate report claims major fossil-fuel companies that answered Donald Trump's calls for donations are now positioned to receive billions in benefits, leaving US taxpayers facing higher bills. The report describes the arrangement as a 'bargain' between the president and major polluters, drawing criticism from climate campaigners and scrutiny of the links between political donations and favorable energy policy.

Power utilities are increasing their use of fossil fuels to keep up with rising electricity demand, according to a report by Public Health Watch. The development raises concerns about the impact on air quality and public health, as grids that might otherwise be shifting toward cleaner sources lean back on coal, oil and gas to meet consumption growth.

The Guardian reports that scientists from Saudi Arabia's state oil company Aramco have worked as authors on IPCC climate assessment reports, the scientific assessments that underpin global climate policy. The story highlights the contradiction of oil industry researchers helping shape the world's most authoritative climate science, and it is drawing criticism of the IPCC's review and authorship processes.

Bangkok, a city of tens of millions, is increasingly at risk from climate-related sea level rise and flooding, with warnings that many residents may eventually need to relocate. Commenters are framing the situation as a failure of political will, accusing oil industry interests and aligned politicians of delaying action on the emissions driving the crisis.

Commentators are revisiting how fossil fuel interests have repeatedly moved the goalposts on renewable energy targets. A pointed example: in February 2013, Australian senator Barnaby Joyce dismissed a 5% solar target as impossible during a Senate renewable energy debate. The argument is that as denial tactics fail and renewables exceed expectations, opponents pivot to new objections rather than accepting clean energy's success.

Critics are accusing the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board of risking the retirement savings of 22 million Canadians by backing gas power plants meant to serve AI data centres. The argument is that the pension fund should act in contributors' best interest, not gamble on fossil fuel infrastructure whose value could erode as clean energy advances and AI demand shifts.

New Jersey regulators have fined a data center operator $1.1 million after aerial images revealed 62 unpermitted gas generators on the site. The finding suggests the facility was running significant backup power capacity without proper environmental approvals, drawing criticism of the fast-growing data industry's reliance on fossil-fuel generators and scrutiny of how such installations evade oversight.

Discussion is growing around Marinvest's pipeline project in Quebec after commentary questioned claims that partial Indigenous ownership makes the project acceptable. Critics, pointing to voices like activist Janelle Lapointe, argue Indigenous communities are often coerced or strong-armed into buying into fossil fuel projects rather than genuinely benefiting. The debate fits into wider fossil fuel and Indigenous rights conversations.

Commentators are warning that the rush to build new gas power plants to serve AI data centres could expose retirement and pension funds to financial risk. The argument is that heavy capital spending on fossil fuel infrastructure, justified by unpredictable AI electricity demand, may leave investors with stranded assets if demand shifts or climate policy tightens.

A new commentary by Whitcomb argues that the Trump administration's embrace of diesel reflects desperation as solar power grows increasingly competitive. The piece also touches on Rudy Giuliani, referred to as 'Rudy Cheeks'. The column frames the administration's energy policy as fighting a losing battle against cheaper renewable alternatives.