Energy crisis in Pakistan and Gaza and Norway’s record profits

With increasingly harsh winters, rising gas prices and regular power outages of at least eight hours, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip increasingly rely on firewood. Some residents have taken to felling trees growing along a narrow strip of coastline and selling the wood. 1 kg of lumber costs no more than $0.28, and the cost of filling a 12-litre gas cylinder has risen to $20.5 in 2022, compared to $18 the year before.

The Pakistani authorities have announced a new energy-saving plan: the government has ordered all shops and markets to close by 8:30 p.m. and restaurants to close by 10 p.m. This will save $274 million. In addition, all federal departments are to reduce their energy consumption by 30%. The country is in the midst of a severe energy crisis and is heavily dependent on fuel imports.

According to the World Bank classification, Norway is the seventh wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The state is growing rich thanks to its oil and gas deposits. In 2023, profits from fossil fuel extraction will reach €130 billion. This is a fivefold increase compared to 2021. Thanks to money from the sales of raw materials, Norwegians enjoy cheap access to education, for example. Universities are accessible even for foreigners, and parental leave is fully paid for 49 weeks. However, there are voices in Norwegian society that getting rich this way during the war in Ukraine is thriving on the injustice to others, so it is worth considering sharing the record profits.