We all know about climate change, but who has the responsibility to combat it?
The effects of climate change are felt across the entire globe, from the tropics to the Arctic. It can be interesting for us to question which countries are more responsible than others for pumping greenhouse gases into our shared atmosphere. The answer in fact depends on how you approach the question.
The United Kingdom started the Industrial Revolution so have been contributing to greenhouse gas emissions the longest (for around 160 years). The United States, China and Europe contribute the top three carbon emissions. Canada emits the most greenhouse gas on a per person basis (this is due to people heating their homes in the freezing winters). It can be easy to blame developing countries such as China and India for emissions, but actually there are a lot of people living in these countries and their carbon footprint is low on a per person basis. China and India are increasing emissions at the highest rate year on year with little sign of slowing down. This has a lot to do with the industrialization of these countries and the over-use of concrete and coal fired power.
Unfortunately, the highest emitting countries often do not feel the full effects of climate change and in some cases, a warmer climate may even benefit the country. For example it is well known that the larger a country’s coastline, the more effects of climate change are felt. This may explain why some of US population often deny the existence of climate change, as the US has a relatively small coastline.
Putin has often remarked that Russia would benefit from a bit of warming and he is right. Countries in the Northern Hemisphere would benefit hugely and have a more temperate climate for growing crops. This would however be at the expense of other countries which would suffer hugely.
People should also note that warming is a global average. Many areas have cooled but this will not be sustained. Most notably the area between Latin America and the US has cooled in recent years and this has fueled many to believe global warming is not occurring, however this is not true.
The blame can be swapped from one country to another based on what statistics are focused on, therefore it is hard to pin more responsibility for this dramatic global change on anyone. The focus going forward should be standing together as a united front against climate change and tackling this issue together.
The Paris Agreement was one step towards a united front against climate change. Its aims were to ‘hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees’. However, it is becoming increasing clear that this target will not be met and instead temperature will dramatically exceed the 1.5 degrees hoped for.
Even though The Paris Agreement targets are unlikely to be met presently, the concept of uniting countries in order to mitigate climate change has been effective and many more cooperative ventures need to be taken in order for serious change to happen. It is easy to blame one another, but cooperation is key to tackling this global issue.
Thank you for reading,
Amy :)
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