Time changes quickly, and so does our world. Since the eighteenth century, the average global temperature has soared by 1.2 ° C. Natural catastrophes and temperatures around the globe have set and surpassed multiple records in the last decade. It was the hottest decade ever recorded. Global CO2 emissions touched a new high in 2021.
Climate change is a hot topic everywhere, from our tea stall benches to the g20 meeting. The impact of climate change is real and visible in the increasing ferocity and frequency of natural disasters. Everyone accepts that increased greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation lead to increased climate change. But who actually did that to such an extent to leave us in this precarious position? Who does that even now?
Historically, the developed countries are more to blame, but in recent years the developing countries are more to blame. The industrialized world is more accountable for climate change historically, ethically, and even financially for growing their economy at the expense of the environment, which is not entirely theirs.
Reducing climate change is being preached by industrialized countries [such as the United States] to developing countries such as India. But the historical record of greenhouse gas emissions tells a different narrative. The United States has been responsible for more than 25% of global emissions.
The share of greenhouse gas emissions of developed countries like the US and the UK started declining in about the 1950s, almost during the same period, the developing countries started using coal and oil. Till the 1980s, 85% of greenhouse gases were released by the US and Europe alone.
England and other nations created their economy using coal at the dawn of industrialization, and after becoming wealthy, they switched to green resources.
Every country in the world must do its part to mitigate climate change, yet no community can be assigned the same aim and time frame to accomplish climate goals. A switch cannot operate climate change; it takes years if not decades to reverse our sinful actions.
Furthermore, industrialized countries are outsourcing not only emissions but also the blame. In other words, they consume more things that emit greenhouse gases than the developing world, but the blame is on the developing world just because the commodities are manufactured there.
For example, if a Dutch firm is using jet fuel from India, the greenhouse gases released during its manufacture are attributed to India rather than the Netherlands, where it is consumed. Likewise, The US is consuming goods that emit 48 million tons of CO2 emissions than it produces. On the other hand, China is being blamed for emitting 93 million tons of CO2 which it does not consume.
In 2021, the US produced 19.8% of its electricity using renewable energy, while Cambodia produced 52.93% of its electricity using renewable energy despite the great difference in the size of their economy. Oxfam’s research ‘Inequality Kills,’ which highlights emissions inequality between wealthy and poor nations, found that advanced nations are accountable for an estimated 79% of all total historic emissions.
When industrialized nations first began exploiting fossil fuel resources, relatively little was understood about the disadvantages of doing so, compared to the tremendous amount of information available today. Developing countries must increase their use of renewable energy sources, even if it slightly slows their economy. The rich nations must provide assistance and incentives to countries attempting to transition away from fossil fuel resources.
Even though every government is adopting climate goals, the rate at which climate action is undertaken is insufficient. Today, emerging countries are using more, as they expand their economies at the expense of the environment, despite understanding the consequences.
India is leading by example and is on track to reach its Paris Agreement commitments. However, India needs much more work to accomplish its net zero aim by 2070, and we must not let it slip when just halfway there, as we did with Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s dream India 2020.
Although developing countries are also responsible for climate change, developed countries are comparatively more accountable because of their history.
Every nation prioritizes its economy and people’s well-being. As a result, some countries take a little misguided turn in industrialization by relying on fossil fuel resources. The impoverished countries are cautious to make large-scale changes to their climate targets because they demand significant cash, which may harm their economies. So, industrialized countries can provide reparations in the form of financial aid to these countries, which will be invested in green energy systems, as well as to tiny island nations who are victims of climatic calamities caused by them.
While every country on the planet is to blame for the effects of climate change, the amount of blame varies depending on how much greenhouse gases they emit, how much they benefit from them, how much they try to change their actions, and, most importantly, how much they adhere to the climate targets.
The tough year of 2020 also taught us that our skies could be clear, our rivers clean and our coral reefs revived if we try our best. Let us try to reverse climate change through our thoughtful actions. Finally, the earth is not ours; we have just borrowed it from future generations. Let’s do our bit to give them what is rightfully theirs.
By: E. Jayagayathri
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