Wealthy individuals have a higher carbon footprint. A new study published in Nature Climate Change quantifies the climate outcomes of these inequalities. It finds that the world's wealthiest 10% are responsible for two-thirds of observed global warming since 1990 and the resulting increases in climate extremes such as heat waves and droughts.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/21822936

“If everyone had emitted like the bottom 50% of the global population, the world would have seen minimal additional warming since 1990,”

The study assesses the contribution of the highest emitting groups within societies and finds that the top 1% of the wealthiest individuals globally contributed 26 times the global average to increases in monthly 1-in-100-year heat extremes globally and 17 times more to Amazon droughts.

The research sheds new light on the links between income-based emissions inequality and climate injustice, illustrating how the consumption and investments of wealthy individuals have had disproportionate impacts on extreme weather events

Our study shows that extreme climate impacts are not just the result of abstract global emissions, instead we can directly link them to our lifestyle and investment choices, which in turn are linked to wealth,"

    • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
      61·
      3 days ago

      I’m not sure if you’re trying to be sarcastic or sincere, but that’s unironically the kinds of changes the top 10% (read: us) need to be making.

      • FenderStratocaster@lemmy.worldEnglish
        11·
        3 days ago

        I’m saying that no matter what I do, some rich person will negate my efforts. I agree, more people need to be conscious and make more of an effort. But when you end up with the same results due to some rich asshole, what it the motivation for someone to change at all?

        • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
          71·
          3 days ago

          And I’m saying that you’re the “rich asshole” in this scenario. So am I, for that matter.

          You’re thinking of the ultra-rich — the global 0.1% (or less), not the global 10% — and making an accidental “no true Scotsman” argument.

            • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
              21·
              3 days ago

              Assuming you’re in a first-world country and living above the poverty line, you pretty much are making that much.

              • Soulg@ani.socialEnglish
                2·
                2 days ago

                I looked up what the number was and I am below it.

                Getting downvotes for being poor is a special, new kind of stupid lol

            • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
              1·
              3 days ago

              Me too, but when those of us near it live more sustainably we have influence. What we do impacts those around us which impacts those around them