Welcome back to another Cellfie blog by our amazing team member, Hannah. Hannah has written about the global response to climate change and also comprehensively explained some of the key issues on this pressing topic. Thank you Hannah for this fascinating article.
What, we ask ourselves, is the biggest challenge to defeating climate change? What is the largest obstacle to an eco-friendly world? Why do we want this world and why do we wish to stop climate change? This all comes down to the question of; well then, what is climate change?
Climate change is the long-term change in our planet’s weather patterns caused by the build-up of greenhouse gases (for example, carbon dioxide) in the Earth’s atmosphere, thus preventing the sun’s energy being reflected back and increasing the Earth’s temperature. If emissions keep rising at the present rate, there will be serious and irreversible impacts on both people and ecosystems. Without a doubt, climate change’s primary factor is human influence. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses scientific evidence for this and states “human influence on the climate system is clear and man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are their highest levels ever”.
Let’s return to the biggest challenge to defeating climate change. I believe this to be economic inequality. Inequality is everywhere, whether because of race, sex, or religion. In the case of climate change, inequality refers to economic differences between countries that may hinder them from tackling climate change.
Countries are divided into two categories: MDCs, More Developed Country, and LDCs, Less Developed Country. According to the UN, as of 2021 countries with GDP per-capita below $1018 are LDCs and above, are MDCs.
Developing countries are torn in their choice to either prioritize developing the country in the cheapest way possible, by using fossil fuels, or to ensure the entire planet’s safety by limiting these low-cost fuels and using more expensive ways to generate energy.
Likewise, MDCs have money and research available for “cleaner” renewable fuels that poorer countries do not have the luxury of and are forced to resort to cheaper fuels. Take Wales for example. A developed nation, it faces the threat of climate change like any other country and has devised a policy response. Wales can and has the money to use renewable methods such as wind turbines and hydroelectricity that have so far been extremely successful, reducing over 31% of emissions since 1990’s levels. It also has the privilege to consider the welfare of future generations as well as the present, making Wales unique for being the only country under the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.
Developing nations all face the question of “Can we keep our economy growing while still limiting greenhouse emissions?”. That is the key difference and inequality between nations in the fight against climate change.
The poor are the greatest victims. Flimsy housing, inadequate heath care, lack of resources and basic necessities mean any natural disaster will hurt them more. For instance, when Hurricane Mitch swept through Honduras in 1998, poor households lost 15% more of their assets compared to the rich. Around half of developing countries’ populations rely on agriculture and natural resources for survival. Flooding, droughts, unpredictable weather, along with increased temperatures put small-hold farmers at severe risk of poverty. This will make it harder to grow food, and thus, not only affects them, but it also threatens the world’s food supply. Food security will become more precarious when considering that the world’s population will increase by around three billion in 2050. Less food will be available, making prices soar together with starvation.
At the end of the day, LDCs are the most vulnerable to climate change though their development emissions contribute the most to climate change.
Developed countries must also play their part. Historically, they have been responsible for more than three-quarters of emissions since 1850. Their earlier industrialisation resulted in emissions resulting from the manufacturing and engineering that advanced their economies. Today, MDCs have transferred their manufacturing to developing countries such as China, with the accompanying emissions. China’s domestic demand coupled with manufacture for export have made it the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Thus, a global approach will be needed to deal with total global emissions.
So, what is the solution to this challenge of climate change? Countries need to work together to overcome climate change, an issue that threatens to affect the entire world. What could make this happen? What can be done? One approach has been the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty of climate change, set into action in 2015 and so far, adopted by 197 nations. Its goals are to limit global warming to below 2-1.5’C compared to pre-industrial levels and to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century. In addition to this, it considers the issue of economic inequality as its policies emphasize that MDCs should provide LDCs with financial support.
Climate change is a global issue, now if the time to ensure a sustainable and healthy world for future generations. We need treaties like the Paris Agreement or the Well-being of Future Generations Act that was signed to aid us in our quest. Although, the battle against our emissions may be set back by factors such as economic inequality, humanity must work together, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or level of economic development, to reduce our carbon footprint along with inequality in any form.
References:
UN Climate change- https://unfccc.int
The Paris agreement- https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement
Wellbeing of Future Generations Act- https://www.futuregenerations.wales/about-us/future-generations-act/
Climate change- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24021772