The real causes of the climate crisis: What role do the richest 1% play in global warming?

The main cause of natural problems such as climate change and global warming is usually attributed to general waste and industrial activity. However, a new study by an international team of scientists may fundamentally change this view. According to them, the climate crisis is not just a general trend, but the result of specific decisions and spending by the world's richest people.

Who is primarily responsible?

According to the results of the study, the richest 10 percent of the world's population is responsible for almost 66 percent of the global warming recorded since 1990. Their lifestyle, frequent flights, yachts, large homes, high levels of consumption and huge amounts of waste - all this is the main cause of climate change on Earth.

The richest 1 percent of people in particular deserve special attention. They are 26 times more likely to cause extreme heat waves around the world than the average person. The 17-fold increase in droughts in the Amazon rainforest is also linked to this group of activities, according to a scientific article published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Is investment more dangerous than production?

The negative impact on the climate is not only related to energy consumption and transportation. Scientists say that high levels of investment activity also contribute significantly to global warming. That is, wealthy people often invest in sectors rich in carbon emissions, further exacerbating the risk.

One of the authors of the study, Sarah Schongart, explained this as follows:

“The origin of extreme climate events is not only due to emissions, but also to decisions, investments and even lifestyles made by certain segments of society. This can place responsibility on specific groups.”

Is there a solution?

On this basis, scientists recommend a review of global climate policy. In their opinion, it is necessary to introduce progressive climate taxes for the world's richest people, increase transparency in their activities, and develop clear accountability mechanisms.

Another important conclusion of the study: if all humanity had emitted as little emissions as the poorest 50% of people on Earth, global warming over the past 30 years would have been almost non-existent.

This means that the actions of certain interested groups, not individual citizens, are determining the future of our planet. For real change in the climate issue, it is necessary to recognize responsibility and supplement it with practical measures.

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