We are the reason fossil fuels aren't going anywhere soon

Washington

ANYONE who tells you that dealing with climate change is simply a matter of sweeping away the obstructionism of oil companies is living in a dream world. The real obstacle is us - our vast dependence on fossil fuels and the difficulty of extricating ourselves without crippling the world economy.

It is true that the Trump administration has withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement, making any transition harder. But the problems transcend his disengagement, as a new study from the oil giant BP makes clear.