Climate change is happening so fast that humans can’t adapt or survive. The devel-oped world’s progress has demonstrably contributed to climate change, leading to its unjust impact, leaving developing countries to face the negative consequences.
The unequal burden of responsibility for climate change, both globally and within societies, presents a major obstacle to tackling the issue. Carbon emissions are heavily skewed towards the wealthiest nations, largely situated in the Global North. North America, for example, contributed 21% of global emissions from 2010 to 2018, with the US and Canada exceeding the global average of 6.2 tons of CO? per person an-nually. The poorest regions, like much of Africa and some parts of Asia, bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions. There are significant differences even within national borders. The top 1% of emitters in Europe are responsible for 60-70 tons of CO? per person each year, whereas the bottom 50% emit only 5 tons, closer to sustainable targets. Annual emissions in the US are heavily skewed, with the top 10% emitting over 70 tons compared to minimal contributions from the poor-est. Developing nations are disproportionately affected by climate change, despite the West’s greater respon-sibility.
Climate change has resulted in a new category of displaced individuals, known as climate refugees. Weather disasters are displacing an average of 21.5 million people annually, according to the UN Refugee Agency, a number that could jump to 200 mil-lion by 2050 if present trends continue. Low-lying island na-tions like the Maldives and Kiribati are fighting for survival as rising sea levels threaten to submerge their entire communities. Jakarta, Dhaka and Miami, major coastal cities, face significant risks, forcing govern-ments to invest heavily in seawalls and flood control systems as adaptive measures.
The economic impacts of climate change are enormous and continue to worsen with each passing year. Hurricanes, wildfires and floods are extreme weather events that have caused billions of dollars in damages worldwide. The economic strain of recurring disasters is even greater for developing nations, as their limited resources are stretched thin.
Many economies rely heavily on agriculture, which is exceptionally vulnerable. Unpredictable rainfall, extended dry spells and increasing heat are harming crop pro-duction and jeopardizing the world’s food sup-ply. The World Bank predicts a decline in food production ranging from 5 to 25 percent by 2050, with dif-ferences depending on the region and crop. These disruptions pose a threat to livelihoods, stoke inflation and lead to social unrest.
The health effects of climate change pose a serious threat. The combination of ris-ing temperatures and shifting weather patterns provides a perfect environment for the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Zika virus. Warmer climates have enabled disease-carrying mosquitoes to spread to new areas, putting millions more at risk. Especially the elderly and children, who are more vulnerable, face significant health risks due to heatwaves.
The environmental effects of climate change are equally devastating. Glaciers are melting at an alarm-ingly fast pace, jeopardizing the freshwater access of millions. The Arctic, known as the planet’s thermostat, is warming at a rate that’s double the rest of the world. Continued current trends could lead to ice-free sum-mers in the region by 2050, accelerating global warming because of reduced reflectivity. The accelerating rate of species extinction, 1,000 times higher than normal, is another casualty of cli-mate change and habitat destruction. Coral reefs, nicknamed the “rainforests of the sea,” are facing severe destruction, with over half already lost due to warming ocean temperatures and bleaching. Destroying these ecosystems disrupts the ocean’s food chain, negatively impacting millions who depend on fishing for their jobs.
Climate change poses a multifaceted crisis, impacting human survival, global economies and natural ecosystems. While scientists and activists have repeatedly warned, the collective response from govern-ments, industries and individuals has been sluggish and inadequate. Humanity’s future is in jeopardy, with little time left to prevent a devastating crisis.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, technological advancements provide a bea-con of optimism. Ac-cording to the International Renewable Energy Agency, renew-able energy sources like solar, wind and hy-dropower are becoming increasingly af-fordable and efficient, reaching almost 30% of global electricity generation in 2021. These energy resources can provide a solution to address climate related challenges.
To effectively address climate change, we need global cooperation on an unprece-dented scale and ur-gent action. Effective and equitable policies should be the top pri-ority for governments. Implementing pro-gressive carbon taxes, extensive reforesta-tion, public awareness initiatives and financial assistance for vul-nerable nations are crucial steps towards positive change. Wealthier nations, especially, need to keep their promise to provide $100 billion yearly for climate finance to aid developing countries in adapting.
The need for equitable climate action is driven by these inequalities, demanding a framework that achieves both effectiveness and fairness. Carbon pricing policies should be designed to prevent undue hard-ship for low-income groups, as seen in the French Yellow Vest protests sparked by fuel tax increases.
Climate change poses a grave threat to our planet, economies and humanity, mak-ing it the most urgent crisis of our time. The decisions we make now, at this critical juncture, will shape the fate of future genera-tions. We must act now, not postpone it until tomorrow or next year. A sustainable and liveable future is only possible with collective action, innovation and a dedication to justice and equality.
—The writer is an educationist and a Commoner from 44th Common, based in Sargodha.
