Climate Change: Inevitable Doom or an Opportunity for Global Cooperation?
The unprecedented global threat of climate change incites diverse reactions and attitudes. Some remain optimistic about humanity’s ability to overcome this existential challenge, while others are more pessimistic. I will explore several reasons that may inform these diverse perspectives.
There are many alarming climate-related statistics. As we soar above pre-industrial temperatures at a record-shattering 1.1°C increase globally, the 1.5°C threshold set in the 2015 Paris Agreement to prevent irreversible damage looms eerily close (United Nations Climate Change, 2023). Global temperature rise is triggering further effects, like ice sheet and glacier melt, subsequent sea level rise, and an increase in extreme weather (Bush et al., 2019). These changes will have progressively significant implications for all life on Earth, yet those among the world’s wealthiest continue to disproportionately fuel the problem through their colossal greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, the wealthiest 10% of the world released an incredible 48% of emissions, while the poorest 50% accounted for just 23% (Chancel, 2022). Furthermore, 75% of the world’s poorest live rurally and depend on agriculture (Rema & Oliva, 2016). Tragically, however, climate change decreases yield and thereby threatens these populations’ incomes, placing strain on countries which already lack social safety nets, and making the prospect of widespread famine increasingly likely (Rema & Oliva, 2016).
While the risks of climate change are undeniable, there are ample reasons to remain optimistic. Notably, addressing climate change by reducing energy use by approximately 95% in the world’s wealthiest nations would alleviate global poverty while still affording everyone a relatively high quality of life due to advancements in efficient technology (Millward-Hopkins et al., 2020). Additionally, climate change is a unique opportunity for unprecedented global cooperation. We can look to the 1989 Montréal Protocol which banned ozone-depleting substances as an example of successful global environmental teamwork (United Nations Environment Programme, n.d.). Furthermore, positive changes are already underway. For instance, global energy emissions rose less than 1% in 2022, much less than expected, mostly due to increases in renewable energy use (International Energy Agency, 2023).
The evidence of climate change’s destruction is undeniable. However, I choose to remain optimistic. While it often feels difficult, I remind myself that without hope, there is no incentive for action. When my optimism is challenged, I repeat this inspiring quote by environmentalist Shelby Orme, “You cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good that you can do”.
