Monday, 21 September 2020

Global Warming: A Rich Man's Sport?

Some numbers take your breath away. Oxfam have estimated that the World's richest 1%, generate double the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by the poorest half of the planet's human population (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/21/worlds-richest-1-cause-double-co2-emissions-of-poorest-50-says-oxfam). They suggest that, rather than wasting it entirely, the carbon credits trading scheme should be revamped to give more benefit to the poorest 50%. If the world is actually going to do something meaningful about climate change (a phenomenon that has a disproportionately large negative effect on the 'have nots'), people who can't afford to live anyother way (until 'greener' technologies are brought in to help them) should have the benefits of the carbon credits. At the moment they are largely utilised to give the rich more air flights, space tourism shots, exotic holidays etc, etc. Otherwise, achieving control of heating and retaining a planet capable of supporting human life (whether rich or poor), becomes much less likely.

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