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There have been many discussions about the urgency of climate change. But it’s universally accepted that the steps that have been agreed to stop global warming are too little too late.
Why is it so?
We believe that inequality is part and parcel of the reason there is so little action.
On the one side, inequality creates divisions in societies and makes them less inclined to take action. Inequality can also lead to elites taking control of the power to take action and being less willing to give up their privileges.
Not only is it ethically important, but it will also allow us to address climate change.
We must recognize that different growth is required if we are to reduce inequalities. It must be linked with actions to adapt to climate change and curb its effects.
The problem is that most of what we know about sustainable development is contextualized in high-income countries. But how does that translate in Africa?
Climate and inequality are intertwined
We are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that the patterns and growth of the world are not sustainable in terms of the climate or the social perspective (this was true even before COVID-19).
The most recent data from World Inequality Report show the historical CO2 emissions linked to the development paths from 1850 to 2020 have considerably shrunk the remaining emission-budget which would allow us to stay under 1.5° or even under 2° from now until 2050 (see below).
World Inequality Report 2022
The graph also tells us a story about inequality: inequality in CO2 emissions and inequality in development.
This is because of the COVID pandemic that began in 2020. The situation has only gotten worseIt is estimated that between 120 and 124 millions people have been pushed into the country. extreme poverty.
In assessing our current situation, the World Inequality Report agrees to the Oxfam Davos report, titled this year “Inequality kills”, as they both show a significant increase of inequality in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Oxfam’s report shows staggering facts on how, because of COVID-19, the wealth of the 10 richest men has doubled, while the incomes of 99% of humanity are worse off. Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development recent report SurveyThis also shows that people are more concerned about increasing income disparities.
We also know that poverty will decrease even further If inequality were lower.
It was the extractivist growth model that created this situation of increased inequality within and between countries and also caused unsustainability from a climate perspective.
Daylin Paul
It’s a bad idea if you go back to old ways
Many voices are beginning to speak out about how the COVID pandemic might be a window of opportunity for rebuilding, to redefine solidarity, values, and prosperity.
There are many influential commentators such as Nicholas SternEx-chief economist of both the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and author of The Stern Review of the Economics of Climate ChangeThis is an opportunity to make more sustainable social and economical changes, and to link these social and economic changes with more climate-friendly production and consumption patterns.
It seemed that everyone was in agreement for a brief time. However, now that recovery strategies have been implemented, it is seen as imperative that growth be restarted as it was before, despite it being widely acknowledged that it was unsustainable.
This disjuncture of where inequality, COVID, and the climate emergency took place and the seeming amnesia that this business as usual approach to it is perplexing.
It is essential that economies get moving again. However, if we are to revive growth, our focus must be on the possibility that this growth will eventually trickle down to all members of society and lower inequality. We know this. This is false.
A different approach
If growth processes are not slowing down and excluding potentially productive sections from the economy, then a detailed analysis of each country’s multidimensional inequalities should be done to determine what it might look like to build back differently. Economists Dani Rodrik und Stefanie StantchevaProvide a useful framework for use (see below).
Each of these dimensions must be considered together. This framework emphasizes the need to think about economic and social policies together and in an integrated manner.
Additionally, the policy combinations that are required for individuals who are in the lowest, middle, or highest income brackets of a society differ. It is therefore important to understand and plan for growth policies that will benefit everyone.
These policies need to be based on a detailed understanding of the way inequalities empower – or constrain – possibilities.
South Africa This is a great example. Its high inequality means that the bottom half of the population shares only 8.5% of the total income, while the richest 10% have 52% of total revenue. The main reason for this lies in the fact that the bottom-income group, which represents almost half of the country’s population, is largely delinked from the labour market. This is due to the interplay of many types of inequalities, from spatial, racial, wealth, and assets.
This bottom-income group must be a key focus of growth. Social and infrastructure spending are essential investments to make this happen. Without them, inclusive growth is impossible.
Not only is it crucial for socioeconomic sustainability but also for climate sustainability to invest in people. The “Yellow vests” movementFrance was a glimpse at why the ecological transition should be supported by social policy, but there is growing awareness about the looming dangers.
Some options
There are a few channels that can be used to reduce inequality in the fight against climate changes. The biggest is the vast gap in emissions between those who are poorest and those who are the richest. Oxfam estimates that 20 billionaires are responsible for averaging 8,000 times the carbon emissions of billionaires. People who are the most vulnerable.
The distorting effect of inequalities in climate change goes well beyond the inequalities in emissions. Inequality can polarize societies and make them less inclined towards the common good. This is especially problematic when trying to effect socially optimal change. Inequality results in elites capturing power and being less likely to give up their privileges. These privileges are often tied to the current non-inclusive, unsustainable production and consumption structures.
We can shift from the gridlock that only talks to the elite to reduce inequalities by reducing them. This will allow us to take climate action and make it possible to do things differently.
