Andrew Forrest, a millionaire against fossil fuels: “Oil and gas, here is the science you have missed”

2023-12-09 18:25:33

Correspondent

London

Updated Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 17:25

Considered the second richest man in Australia, Andrew Forrest sponsors during the Dubi Climate Summit a unique advertising campaign in the international press for the abandonment of fossil fuels

El magnate Andrew ForrestWorld Economic Forum/Faruk Pinjo

Instead of arriving on a private jet, like most millionaires, Andrew Forrest landed in Dubi with the Green Pioneer, a boat converted from diesel to green ammonia. And instead of exerting his influence in the corridors and in the closed-door meetings of COP28, the Australian tycoon has decided to sponsor a striking advertising campaign against the fossil fuel industry in the pages of the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal or the Financial Times.

“Oil and gas, here’s the science you’ve been missing,” reads the ad, illustrated with a photo of an ostrich burying its head in the sand. In loud interventions on the sidelines of the conferences, Forrest has recalled everything that is at stake at COP28: ““We have not yet seen any announcement that would allow us to ensure the definitive success of this conference with a commitment to end the use of fossil fuels.”

Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, 62 years old, is considered to be the second richest man in Australia, with an estimated equity of about 20,000 million euros. He is best known in his homeland for his philanthropic work through the Minderoo Foundation, for his defense of Aboriginal rights and for his love of rugby. He achieved his fortune thanks to the iron mines with his company Fortescue Metals and a decade ago he was accused of tax evasion.

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At this point it hasn’t hurt to sing the mea culpa: “I have been part of the problem, but at least I am changing. “The rest of the problem is the 99% of us who are acting as fast as they should.” His company, Fortescue, published an open letter to world leaders this week, backed by 60 scientists and warning about the combined risk of increased of temperatures and humidity in densely populated tropical and subtropical areas.

With a PhD in Economics and Marine Sciences from the University of Western Australia, Forrest has placed emphasis on the effects of “the lethal humidity that is already killing people” and that could affect 3,000 million humans in the areas “more exposed to climate change.”

“The time for excuses and evasions is over”Forrest warns in statements to The Guardian. “We have solutions to eliminate fossil fuels, and that’s where we should get to. And those who say they can’t, leave the stage and leave those who are willing.”

“It would be of enormous historical relevance if this were achieved at COP28,” warns Forrest, who warns against the temptation to include only fossil fuels “without mitigation” and fall into what he himself calls “the old lie of sequestration of carbon”.

Open letter to world leaders

In his open letter to leaders, the Australian millionaire advocates the implementation of “positive power plans” that contemplate the abandonment of the exploitation and use of fossil fuels and the accelerated replacement with renewable sources and “green growth stimuli” promoted by governments.

Forrest has been especially critical of “the new oil rush” in the North Sea promoted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and has threatened to withdraw its investments from the United Kingdom “due to the lack of appropriate leadership.” He has also attacked the Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, for his decision to continue with the exploitation of fossil fuels beyond 2030.
“We have to understand that if we approve fossil fuel projects, of any type, we are doing so to the detriment of renewable energy projects,” warned the Australian tycoon. “The question is this simple: when are we going to stop burning fossil fuels? And“It’s a question we should ask any politician and any businessman.”