The world’s climate has undergone a major shift since human civilization began. Global warming is evident with the increasing temperatures each year and as the weather becomes very unpredictable. Major disasters had struck us and it makes me wonder if it is a signal to us that global warming is getting out of control. I have to agree that the rich has contributed more towards global warming while the effects of it are reflected on the poor- Third world nations and ELDCs.
A typical rich household consumes 20 times the electrical energy of a normal household. Yet the rich pledge to reduce carbon usage by buying personal carbon credits. It is a scheme that allocates a person certain amount energy to consume and if more usage is needed one has to buy it from the open market. I think that this scheme does not aptly inculcate the correct way to reduce carbon emission. It has only turned commercialized the sale of the carbon credits to thriving business. The rich could afford to buy additional carbon credits and they do not need to limit themselves to save on electricity. The poor on the other hand is restricted by the scheme or tries to save their carbon credits for the rich. This falls to a scenario whereby the rich are exploiting the poor.
Former US president Al Gore and actor Leonardo DiCaprio once made a speech on how to tackle global warming issues during the Academy Awards. I thought highly of them to suggest brilliant ideas. However, it turned out that carbon credits was bought to make the event possible. I feel that it may be a good start but not a solution to the real problem of global warming. They have just demonstrated on how to use their wealth to enjoy while some poor people have to cut down on energy usage for them.
Furthermore, the poor countries could not afford to undergo the effects of global warming. They mostly suffer from drought, famines and storms without the ability to protect them. They are not the most to blame for global warming yet they have to suffer the most just because they are poor.
Articles have started to report on various US companies that are willing to pledge to cut down on carbon emissions and this is the time where the finger pointing game begins. Some of the companies blame the state of the world to others who have contributed to a way or another. They refuse to cooperate as going green maybe incurs high costs. However, I believe that every single being in the universe is responsible for the mess we have made. It has taken us generations to start this mess and it may take us a long time to solve it.
In conclusion, everyone has a role to play to saving the world, not just the poor.
"In a decade, America's mighty rivers will have reached the boiling point." - Edwin Newman, Earth Day 1970
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