Monbiot blasts Burnham's North Sea oil plans as self-destructive
Guardian columnist criticizes Labour PM's impending approval of new gas and oil drilling as politically irrational and economically harmful.
What to know
- Burnham is preparing to approve the Jackdaw gasfield and Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea, despite climate concerns.
- Monbiot argues the drilling will create minimal jobs (27 for Jackdaw, 450 for Rosebank) compared to 300,000+ already in the green economy.
- The columnist contends climate damage from the fields' emissions would outweigh economic benefits several times over.
- Monbiot questions whether Burnham is trying to appease Trump, Reform UK, or the Conservatives—and argues none of these tactics will succeed.
“The only chance of preventing climate catastrophe is international agreement based on mutual trust. But when our government refuses to leave fossil fuels in the ground, its credibility diminishes.”
George Monbiot, Guardian columnist · The Guardian ↗ · Sep 9
Andy Burnham Labour Prime Minister
George Monbiot Guardian columnist
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Monbiot criticizes Burnham's North Sea drilling decision as self-destructive
Guardian columnist George Monbiot published an analysis questioning Andy Burnham's impending approval of further North Sea oil and gas drilling, arguing it amounts to political self-destruction with minimal material gains. Monbiot states the Jackdaw gasfield will generate only 27 direct full-time jobs and the Rosebank oilfield 450 UK-based jobs, while the green economy employs 300,000 directly with 400,000 more jobs planned.
“Here is a Labour government spending a vast amount of political capital to earn tiny material gains while risking huge political losses.”
— George Monbiot -
first by Mastodon, 14d ago · also Guardian Environment
1 more headline
- Is Burnham trying to appease Trump? Or Reform? What other reason is there for these North Sea oil plans? | George Monbiot Guardian Environment · 14d ago
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Monbiot amplifies column via social media, calls decision 'utter madness'
Monbiot shared his column on Bluesky, characterizing the drilling approval as 'Starmer-like self-destruction' that would appease lobby groups while driving voters away.
“It might appease certain lobby groups, but it sabotages Burnham's own project and drives voters away. Utter madness.”
— George Monbiot -
G
This week's column is about the Starmer-like self-destruction of the impending decision to approve new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. It might appease certain lobby groups, but it sabotages Burnham's own project and drives voters away. Utter madness. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... Is Burnham trying to appease T...
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