The climate crisis is already here. For the residents of the poor countries considered to be the "Third World", there is no doubt that the culprits are: the rich Western countries. Not only do they avoid actions to prevent warming, they also continue to develop sources of pollution and emissions that cause it. In addition, they practice hypocrisy and denial driven by economic forces
While the heat is hitting and breaking records according to the forecasts, dozens are dying in East Africa due to floods and floods. Around the world populations suffer from heatstroke and drought. There is someone to blame! There are known and obvious culprits.
For the residents of the poor countries considered to be the "Third World", there is no doubt that the culprits are: the rich Western countries. Not only do they avoid actions to prevent warming, they also continue to develop sources of pollution and emissions that cause it. In addition, they practice hypocrisy and denial driven by economic forces.
There is no need for an arbitrator or a judge, as the guilty also admit their guilt and even promise to improve and correct. But the promises remain only on paper. One of the sufferers defines it this way: "The hypocrisy of the rulers of the rich countries accelerates global warming and brings the world closer to an irreversible disaster, the more severe consequences of which are already giving rise to the suffering of the poorest inhabitants of the poor countries."
Treatment of plastic pollution and emissions
It turns out that just like the attempts to treat plastic pollution, so is the "treatment" of pollutant emissions from the manufacturing industry and the use of mineral fuel. Instead of treating the source of the pollution and stopping production, methods are being sought to mitigate emissions by collecting and absorbing the pollutants and turning them into secondary products. A welcome initiative but definitely not enough.
Official representatives acknowledge the problem and claim that there is a need for general responsibility to be shared between the rich countries that support the "developing" countries. But the rich northern countries, which were the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, continue to ignore their duty and responsibility for the situation.
The EU's intention for a "just" climate policy (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - CBAM) also perpetuates the hypocrisy. The intention to reduce emissions in "developing" countries only strengthens the inequality. In addition, the "carbon tax" method makes it difficult for poor countries to implement climate action, since they lack the means to adapt to warming and its effects, and they lack funding to switch to other technologies that will allow the mitigation of emissions.
Implementation of the decisions to limit warming
Developed countries transferred facilities and industries for energy production to countries in the poor south, thus creating "emissions exports" and shifting the blame. The implementation of the decision to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees (above the level before the development of industry) will require extreme measures. But according to the assessment of the Intergovernmental Climate Organization (IPCC), by 2100 temperatures will rise by 2.7 degrees - that is, a disaster.
Despite the urgency, countries focus mainly on the distraction of "zero emissions" by 2050, ignoring the urgency to stop emissions immediately.
Carbon trading
At various conferences, carbon is "sold" as the efficient and fair way to reduce emissions and mitigate global warming. But in practice, there is no discussion about the form in which the "carbon taxes" will be distributed and the need to finance the adaptation of the poor countries to global warming. The carbon tax is supposed to be a punishment for the emitters and compensation for the victims, but there are few signs of an effort to compensate the victims. The carbon market has an inappropriate effect and emissions have been reduced only marginally.
Steps required
In order for poor countries and populations to be able to adapt to warming and then contribute to stopping it, it is necessary to transfer sources and means that will enable sustainable development and mitigation of warming. More than a year ago, the "Economic Coalition for Zero Emissions" was established, when countries in the West pledged to gradually reduce emissions to zero emissions (Net Zero). But after more than a year, most of the commitments remained only on paper. The extraction and burning of mineral fuel continues despite all the known dangers!
Carbon trading is promoted as a solution to the global warming recession, but the restrictions and ineffectiveness to reduce emissions undermine the urgent need for efficient alternatives. Selected investments and the promotion of technologies for the adjustment and adaptation of populations in poor countries are important and necessary steps, which will only succeed if practical ideas for sustainable development are implemented despite the challenges.
The mitigation of global warming and adaptation to climate change require a comprehensive and fair approach that sets priorities for reducing emissions while supporting vulnerable populations that are affected by global warming.
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