Jagdeo urges practical solutions as world still depends on oil and gas

Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo says countries need to focus on real, workable solutions to climate change, warning that the world still depends heavily on fossil fuels or oil and gas.

Speaking at a CARICOM meeting in Georgetown Thursday, Jagdeo said the current global conflict has shown how quickly problems with fuel supply can affect everyday life.

“One thing that war has taught us globally [is] how reliant we are on fossil fuel,” he said. “In spite of all of the changes and the advances in renewable energy, we’re still so reliant on fossil fuel.”

Jagdeo said the world’s need for energy is growing faster than renewable energy can keep up, so fossil fuels will still be needed for some time.

“The fact is that we will need fossil fuel… the alternative energy will not displace the increase in demand,” he said.

He said the discussion should not be about choosing one or the other, but about using all available options.

“We have framed the debate… as one between fossil fuel and no fossil fuel. But the fact is that we will need fossil fuel,” he said.

Instead, he called for a mix of solutions, including renewable energy, better energy use, new technology and gradually cutting back on fossil fuels.

“If we treat net zero as a balance… there are many solutions in the equation,” he said.

Jagdeo also said it is becoming harder for the world to agree on climate action.

“It’s immensely harder to achieve net zero,” he said.

He criticised global meetings for too much talk and not enough action.

“There’ll be a temptation to give all these very lofty speeches… but your quest has to be a search for solutions,” he said.

He urged leaders to focus on practical steps and make it easier for countries to access climate funding.

Jagdeo pointed to Guyana as an example, saying the country has earned nearly US$1 billion from selling forest carbon credits.

He said 15% of that money went to 252 Amerindian villages, helping to fund more than 3,000 community projects.

The rest is being used to reduce flooding and support farming, including installing pumps, building dams and improving drainage.

“The deliberate action on the part of countries… leads you to success,” Jagdeo said.

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