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Climate Change And Poverty - A Double WhammyClimate change and poverty go hand in hand where those already vulnerable become more so through global warming. They also go hand in hand as global warming is not assisted by slash and burn farming in tropical forests by poor farmers, removing valuable ecosystems, also functioning as carbon sinks. To be fair here, it must be said that commercial forest rape is a far greater villain in this piece and one of the causes of global warming.
The latest report in a long string of similar documents is the United Nations Report: The Other Half Of Climate Change. It warns that Indonesia, where 80 million people live under or on the poverty line will be among the hardest hit by
effects of global warming
Climate Change And Poverty ImpactsSuch impacts include
Indonesia is an even greater greenhouse gas emitter than any nation bar the US or China – and that's saying something! In addition it compounds the impacts of climate change and poverty through
Climate Change And Poverty Impacts Links With Bioenergy
It is a cruel irony that subsistence villagers living off traditional rotational forest farming practices, now have to seek work on the palm oil plantations that replaced the forest. It is even more crazy when you think that palm oil production produces huge atmospheric carbon emissions, while planted in anticipation of the biofuel boom that is supposed to reduce global warming problems caused by fossil fuels. Money on the brain perhaps? An added layer of complexity to links between bioenergy, climate change and poverty is that the same UN, in 2005, has also identified that many rural poor people would benefit from bioenergy produced from products such as sugarcane, maize and manure. Climate Change And Poverty Impacts in IndiaAs per 2008 India is the fourth largest global greenhouse gas emitter, after the US, Australia (OUCH!), and China. BUT the US still emits 20 times more per capita than the Indians do! So, we shouldn't we REALLY start at home? Anyone? Helloooo... world leaders and consumers! As everywhere else Indians already experience reduced wheat crops leading to chronic hunger and malnutrition, mostly and firstly for the poor. Climate Change And Poverty MitigationEliminating poverty without causing more rampant consumerism and greenhouse gas emissions requires a re-evaluation of how we globally share our incredible wealth, now concentrated in a tiny minority in a minority of countries. Hard - politically? Oh yes, in many ways. But think of how much harder it will be if we don't. Climate change refugees, conflict, greater emissions, greater global warming fall-out... I guess that's in part what underlies UN recommendations for India and China to reduce emissions by 20% by 2050 and the rich industrialised countries by 80%. No-one is immune from climate change and poverty, including poverty of a different sort. In a landmark decision the Australian Land and Environment Court stopped a $250 million housing and aged care development from going ahead close to Sydney, because of the possible impact of coastal flooding caused by climate change! It's real. And not just for those faraway, out-of-mind folk, folks... So what to do? The same old thinking about more is good, and technology to solve any problems doesn't work any more. We must change our thinking to decide what is enough for wellbeing and what wellbeing really is. We must start taking real care of the most vulnerable people and environments in order to learn to live well as a whole community on a whole planet. Climate change and poverty ,it's one of those challenges wherein lie powerful lessons how to live with global warming. Still need more answers?Sources: Poor to bear brunt of warming. Biofuels can cut poverty, provide energy and mitigate climate change – UN Climate change to affect India: UN Report Climate change ruling 'sets precedent for developers Further links: |