Climate in the hands of elites: How the wealthiest are shaping weather changes

Ten the richest people in the world are responsible for two-thirds of the value global warming observed since 1990. Extreme events weather conditions are largely due to the “credit” of the richest 1 percent

The authors of the study published in Nature Climate Change shed new light on the links between income levels, greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse gases and so-called climate injustice.

They found that the 10 percent of the richest people in the world account for as much as for two-thirds of the global warming that has occurred since 1990.

They also noted that only one percent of the richest The population of the Earth contributed 26 times more than the average to the growth frequency of occurrence of extreme temperatures and 17 times stronger – frequency of Amazonian droughts.

Emissions from the richest 10 percent of people living in the United States and China led to double and a three-fold increase in extreme heat in particularly vulnerable regions.

The most vulnerable suffer from climate change, tropical, low CO2 emitting regions such as the Amazon, South Asia and Africa.

“Our study shows that the extreme effects of climate change are not are only an abstract effect of global emissions – we can see them directly be linked to our lifestyle and investment decisions, which in turn are related to wealth. We found that wealthy individuals play a key role in driving extreme climate phenomena, which is a strong argument for climate policy aimed at reducing these very emissions," he emphasises lead author of the publication, Sarah Schöngart from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

"If everyone emitted as much as the poorest 50 percent, world population, only minimal warming would occur since 1990. Addressing this inequality is key to fair and effective climate policy,” adds study co-author Carl-Friedrich Schleussner.

In addition to the importance of consumption, the study also shows the importance of emissions. related to financial investments. Scientists argue that targeting activities also on the financial flows and investment portfolios of high-income individuals income can bring significant climate benefits.

"This is not an academic discussion - it's about real consequences "climate crisis that we are already feeling today," warns Prof. Schleussner. - "Climate action that does not take into account excessive responsibility of the richest members of society means risk omitting one of the most effective tools we have at our disposal, limiting future damage."

According to the researchers, their findings may become an impetus for introducing progressive political instruments aimed at elites social. They note that such activities can also promote acceptance social for climate policy. Making the richest bear the burden costs of its activities, can also help provide urgently needed support for adaptation to new realities and compensation for losses and damages in most vulnerable countries.

Experts conclude that the adjustment of responsibility for climate action to make a real contribution to emissions is crucial not only to slow down global warming, but also to build more a just and resilient world.

Marek Matacz (PAP)

mat/zan/