The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz has reignited the urgency for climate solutions that environmental activists have been advocating for years. This situation has unveiled our deep-seated dependence on oil and gas, not only for transportation but also for food production due to our reliance on synthetic fertilisers. The situation becomes critical when the supply chain faces pressure like it did recently, highlighting our addiction to fossil fuels that contribute to the climate crisis.
Despite strong evidence, global warming is still not viewed as an immediate threat by both policymakers and citizens, which is why the transition to greener technologies has been slow. However, the current escalating fuel prices and potential food shortages are changing the narrative. This has spurred new interest in environmental solutions that campaigners have been advocating for.
Renewable energy is a perfect example. Countries that have substantial investments in it are now seeing their benefits through the considerable savings compared to oil and gas. Take Pakistan as an example, its dependence on imported fossil fuels makes it highly susceptible to disruptions in the supply chain. But by shifting towards renewable energy, Pakistan has drastically reduced its vulnerability. Green energy now accounts for 32% of its electricity, up from just 2.9% in 2020, saving over $12 billion in fossil fuel imports during this period. The current crisis has further motivated Pakistan to intensify its shift towards solar energy, with new capacity expected to save it an additional $6.3 billion in 2026.
As environmentalist Bill McKibben highlights, “Sunlight has to travel 93 million miles to reach the Earth, but none of those miles go through the Strait of Hormuz.” Renewable energy sources are safer and more secure as they are generally more dispersed than a single large power plant, which can easily become a target. Ukraine, which is diversifying its energy sources towards solar and wind power, is doing so for this particular reason.
Soil doesn’t have to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but a significant portion of the global trade in nitrogen fertilisers and their raw materials does, leading to a sharp rise in costs for farms heavily reliant on them. However, those practicing regenerative agriculture are less affected. As per a 2025 report, yields on regenerative farms can be just 1–2% lower than their conventional counterparts, yet save over 60% on fertiliser costs.
It’s not surprising that there’s a growing interest in alternative natural fertilisers, like seaweed, which has been a staple of traditional farming for ages. A recent report highlighted several UK farmers using drones to apply seaweed to wheat fields. Additionally, a new seaweed farm in the Netherlands, backed by Amazon, has just harvested its first crop, grown between offshore wind turbines.
In the wake of a crisis, opportunities for innovation often arise. Following the 1973 oil price surge, significant work on energy efficiency was initiated, which was largely abandoned when the price dropped. The real risk in this ongoing crisis is not our ability to innovate towards a greener, more secure future, but rather the potential for complacency when the oil starts flowing again.
