Recently The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that, over the course of their life, would emit over one billion tons of carbon. The conclusion was that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world. If they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed-upon climate targets. For our third deep dive into carbon bombs, we take a look at the Rovuma Basin: a 64,000 square-kilometer region off the coast of northern Mozambique. The Rovuma Basin is home to a $30 billion offshore liquefied natural gas project set to emit one billion tons of carbon dioxide over the next three decades. Apart from the global climate impact, this project already has damaged crucial surrounding ecosystems, displaced hundreds of families, and potentially worsened an armed insurgency that has been playing out in the region for years. While local Mozambicans have endured these consequences, they have seen no benefits from jobs, money, or electricity resulting from this project.

Today, we explore what is happening at the Rovuma Basin, how it has impacted the local community, and whether a path forward might be found. With special guest Dr. Ruy Blanes, associate professor of global studies at the University of Gothenburg.