Svitlana Romanko is a Ukrainian climate activist, environmental lawyer, and mother writing from the frontlines of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Romanko explains that Russia’s invasion is funded and fueled by the coal, oil, and gas industries that also drive the climate crisis. Before the war, Romanko helped the Ukrainian city Vinnytsia create a roadmap to implement the European Green Deal to work towards climate neutrality. While the conflict has stopped those plans, Romanko points out that the war presents an opportunity for Europe to transition away from fossil fuels, both to stop the Russian invasion and for global climate justice. Photo credit: Olga Gordeeva/EyeEm via Getty images
