The annual G7 Summit of the world's richest countries was held May 19 to 21 in Hiroshima, hometown of the Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, who chose Hiroshima as the Summit location because of his view that Hiroshima is "the most fitting location to express Japan’s commitment to peace." While the public heard many G7 words of praise for President Zelenskyi, and some increased commitments of support to Ukraine, the fact remains that many were disappointed with backsliding in G7 final commitments, and the G7 still has not backed a full, transparent and enforceable embargo of Russian fossil fuel exports, which is an absolute necessity to dry up funding of Putin's war machine, and bring peace to Ukraine and Europe.

Speaking also to a US and global audience, Prime Minister Kishida recently stated that "being faced with Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which shook the very foundation of the international order, the international community is now at a historic turning point. The G7 firmly rejects any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or the threat or use of nuclear weapons and upholds the international order based on the rule of law." He continued, "There are mounting challenges facing the international community, such as the global economy… regional affairs including Ukraine, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, economic security, and global issues including climate change…".

By all rational economic analysis, if the G7 wants to have peace and energy security, it must stop public subsidies of outdated energy sources; fossil fuels.  The IEA estimated that so-called consumption subsidies for fossil fuels doubled in 2022 to $1 trillion globally. This makes no economic sense for any nation, as renewables have already become the cheapest energy source in 2022. Furthermore, the US and the G7 must protect their economies now by swiftly backing a transition to clean energy, because as the Wall St. Journal reported, insufficient action on climate change could cost the global economy $178 trillion over the next 50 years. Buying fossil fuels especially from Russia of course ruins the climate while also funding the brutal war on Ukraine.

I find it shocking that after a year of war in Ukraine this is still an issue. There is no reason that any government, or the G7, should continue relying on imports of Russian fossil fuels, or spend money on them. By ending consumption of Russian fossil fuels, we solve both the climate problem and dry up the funds for Russia's military, which is the most sensible win-win solution for all.

Over the last year I often felt uncomfortable when US or G7 leaders have on the one hand been offering hundreds of millions worth of aid to Ukraine, but with the other hand continuing devotedly buying Russian fossil fuels, or creating policies like the failing "Price Cap" that let's others buy fuels from Russia, while pretending publicly to not see the huge loopholes in the sanctions they drafted with intentional loopholes made to keep oil cheap on global markets. This only expands global dependency on outdated fossil fuels, especially LNG gas, subsidized by public money, that have led time after time to global catastrophes like the 1974 OPEC energy crisis, subsequent mass inflation and economic crash.

The USA and G7 nations must stop relying on outdated and expensive gas and coal power generation that depends on fuel supplies especially from Russia, and invest in now cheaper renewable energy to be a clean energy leader. LNG usage and infrastructure expansion at public expense must be stopped, and instead the USA must advance clean energy initiatives. G7 commitments to new gas investments wrongly emphasized the significance of LNG in addressing energy crises and potential supply shortfalls. 

Here are key recommendations for follow-up after the G7 Summit, that the USA and her allies should act on in the immediate future regarding the need for them to lead on implementing a full, transparent and enforced embargo of Russian fossil fuels:

• The US and the G7 must stop relying on outdated and expensive gas and coal power generation, that depends on fuel supplies, especially from Russia, and invest in now cheaper renewable energy to be a clean energy leader;
• This will help the world and Ukraine to defeat the Russian fossil fuelled terror, and then, with support of G7 and Europe, for Ukraine to become the first post-war country to fully rebuild with renewable, reliable and peaceful energy;
• The economy and the climate crisis, and the world, need the G7 to act as climate leaders, and not backslide on stated climate goals and climate finance commitments
• All G7 nations should immediately cease participation in joint ventures with Russia, particularly in Arctic LNG-2 and Sakhalin-2 LNG projects, as they compromise existing commitments to protect peace and climate;
• We kindly ask the G7 to provide investment in renewable energy infrastructure for the restoration of Ukraine's energy sector following the principles of decentralization and transition to renewable energy sources, avoiding investments in new fossil fuel infrastructure and stopping the expansion of climate disrupting gas projects;

In conclusion, we must insist that moving forward, USA and the G7 lead the world towards a climate friendly clean energy future that eliminates fossil fuel wars and conflicts, benefits people, the earth, our energy security and long-term economic development. Don’t bring us more big statements with empty promises and the occasional silver cloud in the dark, just do your job and bring us lasting peace and a true victory over fossil fuels and their profiteers.