Finding solutions for climate change is getting harder as the gap between the rich and poor gets larger. Inequality is the problem for finding solutions, not the increasing population. The richest billion people in world count for about half of the world’s emissions while the poorest half of the world count for about 7% of the world’s emissions. Rich people consume more than poor people because they can afford it. This can result in over consumption of goods and resources. Solving problems such as climate change is easier in societies that are more equal because inequality results in status competitions which results in over consumption. People try to buy more things to show that they are of a higher status. Less developed countries have a higher birth rate than more developed countries, but because the less developed countries cannot afford to consume as much as the more developed countries they don’t emit as much emissions.
If the gap between the rich and the poor decreases then there will not be as much competition to show who has a higher status. People will not consume as much with a smaller gap which will result in less emissions. We have to use energy to produce these things that people consume and because people consume so much we have to use more and more energy. This all contributes to the emissions which contribute to climate change. One reason less developed countries do not contribute as many emissions is because they do not have the industry that develops all the products people in more developed countries consume. Even thought they have the highest fertility rates, they still cannot afford these products. Most families in these countries cannot afford education and some cannot afford to support their families. This is why a lot of people in less developed countries are suffering from poverty.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/01/rising-population-growing-inequality
2 comments:
I agree that growing inequality and the consumer economy are major issues the world faces. Focusing on making money to buy things are not going to help solve the major problems of the world. I believe that it would create profound effects if people were not so concerned with materialistic needs, but rather the people who can't even meet the standard of living needs.
Hannah,
I agree with your posting. Today's society is very polarized. Some people have money others don't and this divide is causing great strife. Many people are homeless, jobless, and are trying to survive. Many people think if they buy a lot they are helping the economy grow. However, really they are aiding in industries that are not good to their workers. It is really hard to explain to people everything I am learning in this class. However, with small and gradual steps progress can be made in changing the way society thinks about our world. Today in class we heard a man from the Congo speak. He says he is from "the earth." This statement resonated in the classroom. We are all unified in some way and must help each other, and not hurt each other.
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