Adapt or Perish in Climate Change: Carbon Emissions and Social Inequality

 Carbon Emissions and Social Inequality

Carbon emissions caused climate change and social inequality

Carbon emissions and their impacts are not equally distributed across the globe; neither are the social burdens they create borne equally by all humans. Social inequality plays a central role in defining who has the adaptation resources and who suffers the worst consequences of climate change.

It makes sense when we say that carbon emissions and social inequality are deeply intertwined, as vulnerable communities contribute the least to global gas emissions but suffer the harsh consequences.

In this section, we will explore how carbon emissions aggravate social inequality, the concept of climate justice, and the need for equitable solutions to climate change's impacts.

Disproportionate Contributions to Carbon Emissions

Wealthier nations and individuals contribute disproportionately to carbon emissions due to their consumption patterns and industrial activities.

High-income countries, representing only 16% of the global population, are responsible for over 75% of historical carbon emissions (Oxfam, 2020). Within these nations, most wealthy people tend to have larger carbon footprints due to energy-intensive lifestyles, such as frequent air travel, private vehicle ownership, and luxury houses with plenty of carbon-emitting facilities.

Conversely, if not all, but most developing and low-income nations and communities contribute pretty much less to global emissions. Their economies are often less industrialized with non-energy-intensive industries, and their populations rely on subsistence farming and low energy consumption. Nevertheless, these communities are the first to experience the devastating impacts of climate change, such as droughts, (flash) floods, and rising sea levels. This imbalance shows a fundamental injustice in the global response to the overall GHG emissions.

The Vulnerability of Marginalized Communities

Climate change has disproportionately affected marginalized communities globally, with studies indicating that these populations are 3 to 4 times more likely to be adversely impacted by climate-related disasters compared to their wealthier counterparts (Zhou et al., 2020). For instance, in the United States, low-income communities of color are 1.5 times more likely to live in areas with high pollution levels, making them more vulnerable to health issues exacerbated by climate change (Gonzalez et al., 2019).

Furthermore, according to the United Nations, an estimated 700 million people may be displaced by climate change by 2050, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups who lack the resources to adapt or relocate (United Nations, 2018).

Most rural farmers in developing countries and regions face declining agricultural productivity due to shifting rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, threatening their food security and livelihoods. Small island states, such as the Maldives and Tuvalu, are at risk of becoming uninhabitable due to rising sea levels, with limited options for relocation or adaptation. Even in wealthier nations, low-income communities are more likely to live in areas prone to flooding or pollution, such as near industrial facilities or poorly constructed housing.

Additionally, women, Indigenous Peoples, cultural minorities, and such marginalized groups face compounded vulnerabilities. More often than not, women in developing countries bear the burden of bringing home water and food and securing energy for their families. However, the consequences of environmental degradation make their daily chore more difficult than ever.

Climate Justice and Equity

Climate justice exemplifies the need for equitable solutions to resolve the unequal burdens of climate change. The framework recognizes that those severely affected contribute the least carbon emissions and that fixing these disparities requires systemic change.

One critical aspect of climate justice is ensuring that developing nations receive adequate financial and technological support to adapt to climate impacts. The Paris Agreement includes provisions from developed countries to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance to assist vulnerable nations, but this target still needs to be met (UNFCCC, 2021).

These financial resources serve as major support for many countries in building resilient and green infrastructure, transitioning to renewables and clean energy, and protecting their ecosystems and populations from climate risks.

Another crucial component of climate justice is ensuring marginalized groups' voices are incorporated into decision-making processes in soliciting and creating climate solutions. One best examples would be accessing the Indigenous People's know-how and understanding of how the natural world works. As they live in communion with nature, they can provide suggestions and realistic solutions. Thus, they can offer valuable insights into sustainable forest, land management, and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, ensuring a seat for these communities at the table could be a more effective and inclusive climate solution.

Inequities in Carbon Mitigation Efforts

If efforts to reduce carbon emissions are not implemented equitably, they could sometimes aggravate inequality despite their necessity.

For example, carbon taxes or energy transitions are sometimes very challenging due to specific policies that can disproportionately affect low-income households by raising energy costs or causing job losses in carbon-intensive industries.

A concrete instance is that introducing carbon pricing in some regions has raised fuel prices, sparking massive protests from working-class people who depend on cheaper energy for transportation and heating facilities.

In the same manner, an abrupt imposition of a transition to renewable energy can displace numerous workers employed in fossil fuel industries, costing them economic hardship as dependents on these sectors.

Recent studies indicate significant inequities in carbon mitigation efforts, particularly affecting low-income and marginalized communities. For instance, a study by McJeon et al. (2022) found that carbon pricing mechanisms can disproportionately impact low-income households, with estimates showing that such policies could raise energy costs by as much as 15% for these households compared to their wealthier counterparts.

To address the issues these policies raise, relevant institutions and policymakers must design mitigation strategies that prioritize equity before implementing renewable energy effort plans. Effective strategies should include using revenues from carbon taxes to support social welfare programs, retraining workers for green jobs and livelihood opportunities, and providing targeted support to vulnerable communities.

The Global North-South Divide

The world is aware of the chasm that divides the Global North (developed nations) and the Global South (developing nations), a significant element in the relationship between carbon emissions and inequality.

Industrialized nations have historically reaped the economic benefits of fossil fuels while ignoring their environmental costs. Their economic benefits and technological capabilities make them adaptive to the impacts of climate change, while most developing nations experience the impacts and struggle to develop using fossil fuels. This disparity has led to collaborative calls to reform and repair the damages, such as debt relief and loss-and-damage funding, to support developing nations in addressing the consequences of carbon emissions.

One of the main initiatives to address this global issue, as agreed by countries during the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Paris, is the establishment of loss and damage funds to compensate vulnerable nations for their climate-related losses. The agreement (Paris Agreement) represents progress in global efforts, but implementing such initiatives remains contentious and complicated.

The Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) was recently established, and their initial and crucial board meetings commenced. "Loss and damage" refers to the adverse consequences of climate change, impacting human lives, infrastructure, property, and ecosystems, encompassing economic and non-economic losses. Financial support will be provided through grants and concessional financing, with the World Bank overseeing fund coordination to assist recovery from natural disasters. The establishment of the Fund marks the initial phase in addressing climate-induced disaster consequences, with UNDP experts involved in determining its management structure and providing support for areas like climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Following the Fund's announcement, developed countries pledged over $420 million in voluntary contributions, totaling $661 million. More commitments are expected from individual countries, the private sector, and philanthropic organizations. The Fund aims to address financing gaps for immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term recovery needs in affected countries (UNDP, 2024).

Building a Fairer Future

A comprehensive approach that prioritizes justice and equity is crucial in addressing the inequities associated with carbon emissions.

Investing in vulnerable communities by allocating resources to develop climate-resilient infrastructure and ensuring access to clean energy, healthcare, and education in marginalized areas are the key elements in fulfilling this approach.

It is also essential to empower local voices by involving affected communities in designing and implementing climate policies, which can leverage their unique insights and priorities. Promoting fair transitions is also crucial, particularly for workers in carbon-intensive industries. This can be achieved through retraining programs, job creation in the renewable energy sector, and establishing social safety nets.

Lastly, enhancing international cooperation is vital, with a focus on strengthening commitments to climate finance and technology transfer to support developing nations in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. By tackling these inequities, we can work toward a more just and sustainable future, ensuring that the burdens and benefits of climate action are equitably shared.

Adapt or Perish in Climate Change: Health Impacts of Carbon Emissions

 Health Impacts of Carbon Emissions

Environmental pollution causes various diseases in all living organisms

Carbon emissions have extensive and multiple health consequences that pose grave risks to global public health. As aforementioned, the carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion are the main sources of pervasive global air pollution, steadily rising global temperatures, and aggravating climate-sensitive diseases. These negative consequences have immediate and long-term health impacts, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable people, especially children, the elderly, and inhabitants of low-income communities.

This section delves into the various health impacts of carbon emissions, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, heat-related health challenges, vector-borne diseases, and mental health concerns.

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Illnesses (4.5 mil. annual deaths)

Fossil fuel burning affects a heavily impact on air quality by releasing toxic elements and impurities such as particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and ground-level ozone. These toxic elements are linked to serious health issues, particularly respiratory illnesses among vulnerable individuals.

In particular, fine particulate matter can quickly enter the lungs, causing poor health conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cities with high vehicle emissions, including Delhi, Beijing, and other big cities, often experience toxic levels of air pollution, causing respiratory emergencies (WHO, 2021).

Moreover, fossil fuel-induced air pollution poses considerable threats to cardiovascular health, such as the high likelihood of heart problems, strokes, and hypertension. Research reported that fossil fuel-related air contaminants are responsible for around 4.5 million premature deaths annually, mainly attributed to cardiovascular ailments (Lelieveld et al., 2019).

Children and other specific populations who are exposed for long periods will experience severe adverse lung development and cognitive function impacts. Similarly, older adults and individuals with existing health conditions also face a heightened risk of severe health outcomes due to air pollutants.

Heat-Related Health Challenges (500,000 deaths/year)

Primarily driven by carbon emissions, rising temperatures in various areas increase the frequency and intensity of heat waves globally. This trend has severe consequences, including heightened incidents of heat-related illnesses and fatalities.

Exposure to extreme heat can cause heat stress, dehydration, and potentially fatal heatstroke, especially among populations not regularly exposed to hotter temperatures, such as the United States and European countries. Examples of such cases include the devastating 2003 heat wave in Europe, which killed 70,000 people. In 2023, estimates show that heat waves cause approximately 500,000 annual deaths globally (World Health Organization, 2023).

The impacts of extreme heat are very concerning for people with chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, which can be exacerbated by high temperatures. Vulnerable populations face even greater risks, especially those with limited access to cooling and healthcare services.

Additionally, urban areas experience intensified heat due to the so-called 'urban heat island effect.' This phenomenon means heat absorption by materials such as concrete and asphalt, which hold heat and keep it even at night. This phenomenon affects low-income communities that often lack adequate air conditioning facilities, further intensifying the health risks associated with constantly rising temperatures.

Vector-Borne and Climate-Sensitive Diseases (700,000 deaths annually)

Climate change significantly impacts the distribution and intensity of vector-borne diseases, which are sensitive to environmental factors like temperature, precipitation, and humidity. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are expanding the habitats of disease-carrying mosquitoes, putting regions previously deemed safe and high-altitude areas, such as in Africa and South America, at increased risk for various diseases, including malaria and dengue (Githeko et al., 2000).

Hotter climates enhance the range and activity of ticks, which could increase Lyme disease cases, particularly in North America and European regions with temperate weather conditions. Recent studies indicate that Lyme disease affects approximately 300,000 people annually in the United States alone, which translates to about 0.1% of the population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019). The increase in tick activity due to warmer climates will elevate these numbers further.

Additionally, habitat loss due to deforestation could increase the likelihood of zoonotic diseases transferring from animals to humans. Notably, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa exemplifies how environmental changes can bring human populations into closer contact with wildlife, increasing the spread of such diseases. Recent studies suggest that about 60% of human infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they originate from animals. Many of these diseases can be linked to ecosystem changes and increased interactions between humans and wildlife. For instance, a study highlighted that approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic (Lloyd-Smith et al., 2009).

Vector-borne diseases account for approximately 17% of all infectious diseases and cause an estimated 700,000 deaths annually (WHO, 2021). The rise in temperature and changes in precipitation linked to climate change are potentially aggravating this situation, increasing the number of people affected by diseases such as malaria and dengue.

Water-borne Diseases and Sanitation Challenges (2.2 million deaths annually)

Carbon emissions cause changes in weather patterns, such as altered precipitation and rising sea levels, which seriously affect water quality and sanitation. Extreme weather events, specifically flooding, often cause drinking water sources to become contaminated with harmful pathogens, chemicals, and waste, resulting in outbreaks of diseases in affected regions.

It is estimated that 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, heightening the risk of water-borne disease outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023). Due to scarcity of clean water sources or unknowingly drinking contaminated water is a major cause of cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and other related water-borne diseases, which globally cost the lives of approximately 2.2 million people each year, most of whom are children under five (WHO, 2023).

Sanitation challenges also aggravate the circumstances. Low-income countries and regions mostly have inadequate sanitation infrastructure, increasing the risks of contamination and water-borne disease outbreaks. For example, overcrowding and scarcity of clean water in refugee camps and urban slums could create a fertile environment for diseases to spread quickly, starting a sanitation crisis.

Also, rising sea levels cause saltwater to intrude into freshwater sources, affecting the accessibility of clean water and heightening the risks of hypertension and kidney diseases, especially among populations located in coastal areas. According to a study by Strauch et al. (2020), groundwater salinity levels have risen in many regions, with some areas documenting an intrusion of up to several kilometers inland, depending on local hydrogeological conditions and the rate of sea-level rise.

Further, extended droughts could exacerbate water scarcity in climate-vulnerable areas, preventing hygienic activities and spreading various water-borne illnesses. Overall, these intensely entwined issues highlight the debilitating impacts of climate change on safe water access and public health.

Mental Health Impacts (59% of youth)

The mental health impacts of carbon emissions and climate change are significant yet frequently overlooked. One prominent issue is climate anxiety, particularly among young people. A global survey indicated that 59% of youth worry about climate change (Hickman et al., 2021).

Additionally, individuals who survive climate-related disasters—such as hurricanes and wildfires—often face severe mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. This is exemplified by the long-term mental health struggles reported by many survivors of Hurricane Katrina (Galea et al., 2007).

Furthermore, the displacement and loss of livelihoods caused by climate change disrupt social cohesion and support systems, further exacerbating mental health issues within affected communities.

Economic Costs of Health Impacts ($5 trillion annually)

Carbon emissions heavily burden healthcare systems and have negative impacts on society as a whole.

Estimates of air pollution-related health impacts exceed $5 trillion annually (WHO, 2021), a considerable financial cost to treat illnesses related to air pollution, heatwaves, and climate-sensitive diseases.

Besides, the workforce suffers from illnesses and premature deaths, particularly in regions dependent on outdoor labor. For instance, heat stress alone could cost 80 million full-time jobs worldwide by 2030, according to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2019).

Furthermore, climate-related diseases and poor air quality heighten chronic health conditions. Increasing healthcare expenses and diminishing quality of life are just some major costs of long-term climate change consequences.