A WEAPONISED BLAME GAME
A sustainability transition recognises that the Earth may end in two ways: it runs its natural course, or humans create an apocalypse.
The survival of the human species is deeply connected to nature. However, the growing human tendency to view itself as separate from nature accelerates an impending doom – climate change. As aptly put by William Cronon, an environmental historian and celebrated author, "Any way of looking at nature that encourages us to believe we are separate from nature is likely to reinforce environmentally irresponsible behaviour".
And our economy, the system in its entirety, capitalises on basic human desires of mindless consumption while disregarding the delicate balances of biodiverse life. The result is that climate change has increasingly become a political blame game, with the algorithms working relentlessly to feed narratives of polarised beliefs,
However, there are some scattered islands of hope. While human actions may suggest an incoming disaster in the making, hurtling humankind towards oblivion, serious efforts are being made in various quarters to reverse the trend. But is that enough to stave off an apocalyptic climate disaster?
On Collision Course with Nature
Since humankind adopted the Industrial Revolution, humans and the natural world have been on a collision course. Today, there is a flood of information in the public domain on how Earth and its environment are being subjected to degradation that could ultimately make this planet unliveable.
On the other hand, a narrative is at play that tries to project that things are not as bad as some doomsday prophets may claim. From media censorship to outright claims that climate change is a hoax, the bureaucratic paralysis within climate action initiatives coupled with false information and propaganda tends to create a social irony.
However, we can no longer live in a fool’s paradise with our heads buried in the sand, hoping climate change will never catch us in our lifetimes. Climate change has become a reality, the top driver of humanitarian assistance and inflicting human misery as never before; like all other natural and man-made curses, this too afflicts the poorest countries the worst.
Developed economies barrelled their way into prosperity, fuelling their growth with unrestricted use of fossil fuels while the rest of the world still lived mostly in nature. As per the Union of Concerned Scientists in their research paper, the countries that have historically produced the most carbon dioxide emissions since 1750 have been the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and Japan. As of 2022, India has joined their ranks, zooming to the top of the list, only below China and Russia. The rich support the study of ecology and have the decisional power to make judgments and decisions concerning the climate. It also allows them to apportion blame.
Capitalism thrives on consuming and exploiting natural resources in an increasingly globalised world, which often sidelines collateral environmental damage. According to the World Inequality Database, the world's richest countries, or the "Global North," have been responsible for about half of all emissions since the Industrial Revolution. Affluent lifestyles in these regions produce a carbon footprint 100 times greater than that of poorer nations. In 2019, the top 10 per cent of emitters were responsible for nearly half of global CO2 emissions, while the bottom 50 per cent contributed just 12 per cent.
This highlights the minimal role of least-developed countries in global warming and unequal access to the benefits of fossil fuel use, such as energy consumption. Adding to the irony, those at the periphery of society take care of and value nature the most.
Running out of Time
Scientists warn ad nauseamthat fundamental changes are urgent if we are to avoid the collision our present course will bring about. This collision course is accelerated by our technological advancements that largely outpace any successful attempts to curb environmental imbalances. The World Bank estimates climate change could push up to 135 million people into poverty by 2030.
According to philosopher Yuk Hui, the Anthropocene was the era of human activity that resulted in distinctive geological changes that became 'the crisis of modernity'. The significance of addressing the existential-level threat of climate change on humanity has grown remarkedly in recent years while contrasting views and interests in societies exist. While there are instances of green capitalism where businesses incorporate sustainable practices, these efforts are often insufficient to counteract the extensive environmental degradation caused by the overall system.
A prime example is the Green New Deal, championed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Through platforms like Twitter and appearances on progressive media outlets, Ocasio-Cortez emphasises the catastrophic impacts of climate change and the need for comprehensive policy reform. However, this nascent warning requires evolutionary thought to accommodate the fact that current technological advancement rates, growth of the urban species, and a business-centric economy largely outpace most successful attempts to curb environmental imbalances. This has resulted in convoluted climate change agendas that have been weaponised to varying degrees, from the international to domestic level.
For instance, the Paris Agreement represents a significant step in global climate diplomacy but has also been criticised for its superficial attitudes towards nature. The 196 parties that adopted the ‘legally binding’ international treaty on climate change at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) have no obligation to carry out their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The agreement outlines areas that ‘shall’ be changed but fails to give actionable accounts of how it would be carried out.
Climate Politics
In 2019, President Trump gained global notoriety and derision when he called climate change a "hoax" invented by China and incorrectly suggested that wind turbines cause cancer. (The Time magazine, 8 July 2019).
Media shapes the public discourse about climate change. Depending upon who is footing the bill, coverage could be appropriately biased. Organisations such as Greenpeace, WWF, and the Sierra Club actively promote climate awareness and often provide media with compelling stories, data, and expert opinions. However, ecologists commonly believe that many media houses follow ‘sensationalism in climate reporting’, which prioritises eye-catching headlines over in-depth analysis, giving rise to surface-level awareness and momentum.
A case study on the reporting of global warming and climate change in British newspapers found that they focused on the potential consequences of climate change. In addition, attempts to address the suspected causes and the Western style of overconsumption were limited. This creates a political battleground where economic interests compete to influence climate policy.
Climate change has become a polarising issue in many countries, dividing political parties along ideological lines. For example, in the United States, the topic often splits Democrats, who typically advocate for aggressive climate action, and Republicans, many of whom express scepticism about climate science or prioritise economic concerns over environmental regulations. Reports have shown that the conglomerate Koch Industries has heavily funded the Cato Institute, a prominent voice in downplaying climate change risks and opposing environmental regulations. The Heartland Institute, known for its climate scepticism, has received funding from fossil fuel interests. It organises conferences and publishes materials that question climate science and criticise climate policies. While scepticism is good because it brings balance, this borders on denial of admission because true changes require profit cuts.
Geopolitics of Climate Change
As per the blog Climate Diplomacy, governments have fiercely competed to secure access to mineral resources, especially oil and gas. We have closely observed how the diplomatic relations between the West and Middle East oil producers hinge upon their interests revolving around energy security and have hence shaped international cooperation and foreign and security policies. Since many of the world's oil and gas reserves are in fragile or politically unstable places and are often at the centre of countries' economies, the drive to substitute these for cleaner energy sources comes with geopolitical risks. Understanding these risks is an important step for a fair and peaceful transition away from fossil fuels.
To achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement, virtually all countries must remove carbon and other GHGs from their energy systems and broader economies. This will affect future resource demand patterns, which presents a significant risk for certain countries and an opportunity for others. For example, oil-exporting economies will have to deal with stranded assets, while mineral-exporting countries might benefit from a green transition. Another area where conflict risks need to be mitigated is the mushrooming extraction of raw materials.
The increased extraction of fossil fuels, minerals and other resources and shifting global demand patterns have wide-ranging consequences, including pollution, social disputes, and even conflict. Nations, corporations, and financial markets need to plan now to mitigate the risks posed to all countries by the energy transition away from fossil fuels. It is an international priority to enforce international and national regulations that protect the environment and eventually transform how we produce and consume goods and services. Countries with fewer resources to develop in a carbon-neutral way must receive special attention and support. Climate diplomacy offers a range of tools and entry points to achieve this.
Commercial versus Climate Interests
Last year, in Dubai, the President of COP 28, Mr Sultan al-Jaber of UAE, famously said that there is "no science" behind calls for a phase-out of fossil fuels. Unsurprisingly, this provoked a strong backlash from the gathering and the world.
The fossil fuel industry has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of high carbon emissions. Campaigns funded by oil and gas companies that cast doubt on climate science can lead to biased or misleading media reports. The American Petroleum Institute (API) launched the "Vote4Energy" campaign during the 2012 presidential election, which promoted the benefits of continued fossil fuel use and aimed to influence public opinion and policy decisions. On the other side of the planet, the former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been known for his cautious approach to climate policies. He often uses media to highlight the coal industry’s importance to the Australian economy, arguing against policies that would lead to job losses in this sector.
This taps into another characteristic of ecological movements – any ecological movement at its core is also a humanitarian movement; the fossil fuel industry does provide 32 million jobs globally. However, renewable energy has been one of the fastest-growing industries globally, generating millions of jobs across solar, wind, bioenergy, etc. A global report by the IEA in 2021 indicated that clean energy has exceeded the fossil fuel industry in the number of jobs available, with 35 million jobs on the market. While fossil fuel jobs are traditionally stable, transitioning to a cleaner planet and emphasising renewable energy creates a job market for upskilled traditional workers to make better-informed decisions about career and financial advancement opportunities.
However, green initiatives also have their dark side; green businesses insistently lobby for subsidies, tax incentives, and government handouts to fund their research.
Conversely, the renewable energy sector, environmental NGOs, and green businesses lobby for policies that support clean energy transitions. They advocate for subsidies, tax incentives, and research funding to promote sustainable technologies. Reportedly, the American Solar Energy Initiative Association (SEIA)played a significant role in lobbying for the extension of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a 26 per cent tax credit for solar systems on residential and commercial properties.
Overwhelmed by a barrage of such demands that are difficult to distinguish from authentic to purely commercially oriented, politicians find it difficult to give a clear-cut policy directive. Even the public is left jaded and confused, a polarisation that hampers the development of consistent and effective climate policies. This results in legislative gridlock and fluctuating commitments depending on the party in power.
The Way Ahead
True ecological movements emerge from grassroots activism, local initiatives, and community-led projects prioritising sustainability and environmental justice. These movements often focus on conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and reducing waste.
The Transition Towns movement, founded by Rob Hopkins, began in Totnes, UK, in 2006 and provides a best-case study. It aims to create resilient communities by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing local economies. The movement focuses on localising production and currencies, promoting sustainable living practices, and fostering community cohesion. Another notable event was the Chipko movement in 1974 when villagers in the Chamoli district in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, led by women like Gaura Devi, successfully prevented loggers from felling trees by hugging them. The movement gained national and international attention, leading to a 15-year ban on felling trees in the Himalayan forests by the Indian government. The Rubber Tappers' Movement, also known as the Chico Mendes Movement, was a Brazilian environmental and social movement focused on protecting the Amazon rainforest and the rights of rubber tappers. The movement led to the creation of extractive reserves in Brazil, where local communities could sustainably harvest resources without destroying the forest.
It is crucial to actively involve Global South actors in climate decision-making and partnerships to reduce global inequalities. The concept of sustainable development suggests achieving economic growth while protecting the environment is possible. This would require substantial investment in renewable energy, circular economy practices, and policies prioritising long-term ecological health over short-term profits. The feasibility of this balance depends on global cooperation, innovation, and a shift in societal values towards sustainability.
Key Assessments
Climate change simply urges us to keep track of our ambitions concerning its impact on nature, i.e. to allow nature to heal itself as we make our way on this Earth, we must give back proportionately to what we take.
Climate change can only evolve from its ambivalent reputation once the media presents the facts alone, ridding away the sensationalised aspect of gaining coverage. A truly inspired move comes from the quality of the source, not the quantity.
There should be more legally binding consequences to foster nations into taking their initiatives more seriously. Improved reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and progress towards NDCs can help identify gaps and drive more effective and accountable climate action.
