A study called "Scientists' warning on fossil fuels" (Scientists' Warning on Fossil Fuels) presents a review of the extensive scientific evidence that fossil fuels and the fossil fuel industry are the main the cause of many interconnected crises that threaten life on Earth. The authors are scientists from various institutions in the United States and New Zealand.

Document stresses that every stage of the fossil fuel life cycle – extraction, processing, transportation and combustion or conversion into petrochemical products – emits greenhouse gases that warm the planet and pollutants that are harmful to health, and at the same time causes widespread environmental degradation.

Key themes and arguments of the document:

• Climate crisis: Fossil fuels are undoubtedly the main cause of the global climate crisis, with the production and combustion of oil, gas and coal responsible for almost 90 % of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and approximately 79 % of total greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are leading to climate warming, ocean acidification and unprecedented climate disasters.
• Harmful effects on public health: Fossil fuels cause millions of premature deaths, harm public health and degrade the quality of life. Air pollution from fossil fuels contributes to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems and other health problems.
• Environmental injustice: The document points out systematic racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in exposure to risks associated with fossil fuels and climate change in the U.S. Communities of color and low-income groups are disproportionately affected by the location of fossil fuel facilities and the consequences of pollution.
• Biodiversity loss: Fossil fuel-driven climate change, pollution and environmental degradation accelerate biodiversity extinctionFossil fuels and their derivatives, such as pesticides, contaminate ecosystems and threaten many species.
• Petrochemical pollution: The document focuses on the growing problem of pollution from plastics and agrochemicals, which are the primary non-energy end products of fossil fuels. The production and disposal of plastics cause a wide range of climate, health and environmental problems.
• Fossil fuel industry disinformation campaign: Authors criticize the fossil fuel industry and its allies for a decades-long, multi-billion dollar disinformation campaign, which aimed to cover up evidence of the harmfulness of fossil fuels and block measures to phase them out.
• Focus on the United States: The document is specifically focuses on the United States As the world's largest oil and gas producer and a dominant contributor to these crises, it is emphasized that the US must play a leading role in promoting a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and a just transition to renewable energy.
• Existing solutions: Document presents scientifically and fairly based solutions, which already exist for governments and civil society to limit the impact of the fossil fuel industry, halt the expansion of fossil fuels, phase out their production and use, and make a rapid and just transition to clean, renewable energy and materials across the economy.

Document Urges an immediate halt to the approval of new fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure projects and to phase out existing projects in order to meet the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It stresses that The transition away from fossil fuels will bring countless social and planetary benefits and will create a path to sustain life on Earth.

The document also points out the growing momentum of the fossil fuel phase-out movement and a just transition led by frontline communities and youth. It also mentions the importance of exposing disinformation fossil fuel industry to understand the obstacles to the clean energy transition.

Finally, the document synthesizes key conclusions on the interconnected problems caused by fossil fuels and presents available solutions for the transition to clean and fair alternatives. It is emphasized that A just transition must not burden those least responsible for the crisis., and that the US must play a leading role in this transition both at home and abroad. Spring

The study is published in the journal Oxford Open Climate Change .

Glossary of key terms

• Anthropogenic climate change: Climate change caused by human activity, especially greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
• Biodiversity: The diversity of life on Earth at all levels, including genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
• Environmental injustice: Disproportionate burden of negative environmental impacts (such as pollution) on marginalized or low-income communities.
• Fracking (Hydraulic fracturing): An oil and gas extraction technique that involves injecting fluid under high pressure into underground rock formations to release stored hydrocarbons.
• Fossil fuels: Non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the organic remains of ancient organisms.
• Just Transition: A principle that emphasizes the need for a just and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy, taking into account the social and economic impacts on workers and communities dependent on fossil fuels.
• Microplastics and Nanoplastics (NMPs): Small plastic particles smaller than 5 mm (microplastics) and even smaller (nanoplastics), which are created by the decomposition of larger plastic objects and pollute the environment.
• Petrochemicals: Chemicals derived from oil and natural gas that are used to make a wide range of products, including plastics, fertilizers, and pesticides.
• Redlining: The discriminatory practice of denying financial services (such as mortgages) to residents of certain, often racially defined, areas has historically contributed to environmental injustice.
• Carbon sequestration: The process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it for the long term, for example in soil, forests, or underground.