Germana Carillo A new study highlights how the wealthiest 10% of the global population are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, driving climate change and extreme weather events.
The concept of climate injustice is not just a theoretical concern – it is a persistent and real issue. The people who contribute the least to climate change are those who end up suffering the most from its devastating impacts. Meanwhile, greenhouse gas emissions driven by consumption and investments from the wealthiest segments of society have significantly amplified the effects of global warming. A recent study, published in Nature Climate Change, further substantiates this claim, revealing how the super-rich are the primary drivers of the climate crisis. It delves into the historical responsibility of high-income earners, examining the link between private wealth accumulation and climate alterations.
This is not news. It has long been recognized that the wealthy pollute more than others, but what this study brings to light is the extent to which this inequality in emissions directly translates into disproportionate responsibility for rising global temperatures and the extreme weather events that follow. The authors establish a direct connection between income levels and climate change, particularly in relation to the lethal heatwaves and the intensifying droughts that have become increasingly commonplace. Their conclusion is straightforward:
“The wealthiest groups have disproportionately influenced the current climate change.”
The study
Since 1990, the wealthiest 10% of the global population has been responsible for an overwhelming two-thirds of global warming. To put this in perspective, this group is responsible for 66% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Within this group, the top 1% alone have caused nearly one-fifth of the total warming, meaning that their individual contributions are a staggering 6.5 times higher than the global per capita average. When looking at extreme weather events, the wealthiest 10% have contributed to seven times the average increase in extreme heatwaves that occur once every 100 years, and six times more to the devastating droughts that have plagued the Amazon.
@Nature Climate Change
The emissions from the wealthiest individuals in the United States and China have resulted in a two to three times greater frequency of extreme heat events in vulnerable regions. The findings paint a stark picture: if everyone polluted like the wealthiest 10%, the Earth would warm by an additional 2.9°F (1.6°C). However, if emissions were to mirror those of the top 0.1%, the planet would be suffocated by a horrifying 12.2°F (6.8°C) rise in temperature.
At the other end of the spectrum, the bottom 50% of the population, the poorest half of humanity, are responsible for just a tenth of global emissions. Despite their minimal contribution, they are the ones most affected by extreme weather events, and they will continue to bear the brunt of climate impacts. A previous study found that the increasing temperatures and CO2 levels could lead to higher concentrations of inorganic arsenic in rice, a food staple for billions of people worldwide.
Over the past two decades, extreme events linked to climate change have caused an average of $143 billion in damages each year. The human toll is even more staggering, with the World Health Organization estimating that by 2030, climate change could lead to 250,000 additional deaths annually. This makes it clear that addressing emissions is no longer optional but an urgent global priority.
