How Do They Keep the Poor Poor?

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry participates in the U.S.-Africa Business Forum, at the Plaza Hotel, in New York City, New York on September 21, 2016. [State Department Photo/Public Domain]

Many of the poor live on the continent of Africa, which has a population of about 1.4 billion. About 500 million live in “extreme poverty,” adds Mr. Menton. Where are the righteous citizens of the world who could help these poor escape poverty?

A plurality of those people live on the continent of Africa, with a population of about 1.4 billion, some 500 million of whom live in “extreme poverty” according to the definition and data of the UN itself. Surely, every moral person would want to find a way for those poor people to exit poverty and move up to at least what we consider a middle-class lifestyle.

Elites Hypnotized by the Pagan Climate Cult

In the wealthy countries, the elites find themselves hypnotized by the pagan climate cult, with the fundamental belief that use of hydrocarbon fuels is the ultimate mortal sin. These people might mouth platitudes about wanting to help the poor to exit poverty, but at the same time they have no practical idea where their own prosperity comes from, or that it completely depends on abundant energy from fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, they are only too willing to use their influence to prevent the poor from using fossil fuels, in the absence of any functional alternative, thus leaving the poor to languish in poverty.

How about Those Who Govern Developing Countries?

Consider developing countries’ policies as to the use of fossil fuels. Their posture on the issue is not completely uniform, and some countries that have abundant fossil fuel reserves, particularly if controlled by the government, are ready to push to develop those resources.

However, many other countries go willingly along with the Western pressure for no development of fossil fuels. It’s simple. If you allow exploration and development of these resources, you risk the rise of wealthy local rivals for your power. Much better to accept handouts from the rich countries, which you can package as “climate reparations,” and then use for palace guards and secret police to cement yourself in power. Or maybe just put the money straight into your Swiss bank account. Meanwhile, you can mouth some empty words about “saving the planet,” and probably get yourself fawning attention from the liberal Western press, if not a Nobel Peace Prize.

Then There’s the UN

(The UN’s) institutional interest is to be the intermediary in the massive wealth transfer from the rich to poor countries. The more wealth is transferred, the more need for UN staff and bureaucracy to administer the process. And God forbid that the poor countries should get rich and not need the wealth transfers anymore. What then would be left for the UN to do?

The Hypocrisy of the COP-27 Climate Circus

Call it the Anti-African Conference,” writes Paul Driessen of CFACT:

[T]he greatest hypocrisy of all was on full-throated display at the COP-27 climate circus in Egypt November 6-18 – where attendees kept asking whether Africa should be allowed to exploit its oil, natural gas and coal reserves to improve living standards, feed families and save lives! . . .

Even worse, it’s not just energy these arrogant eco-totalitarians want to obstruct in Africa and other developing regions. It’s also modern fertilizers — indeed, all aspects of modern agriculture – everything that can actually help farmers feed hungry people and make enough money to build a home or barn, send their children to school, and buy tractors and other equipment.

More Climate Blather

Before two of America’s prominent climate delegates “jetted back” to one of their (many) mansions, Al Gore asked that the world “turn away” from fossil fuels. Back in the US, Sir Climate Envoy John Kerry “warn[ed] Africa not to rely on natural gas to bring power to millions.”