United Nations’ Dire Climate Warning

By FRANK LINGO

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released its bluntest warning yet on the consequences of climate chaos.

The Washington Post covered the IPCC report, released on March 20, which includes a prediction that the world could pass the point of catastrophic warming within 10 years unless nations drastically reform their economies and immediately switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Most of the report’s information isn’t new. This is the seventh edition from the IPCC going back to 1992. The Guardian recounted the world’s pathetic responses to these warnings over the last three decades. For instance, the third report in 2001 indicated global warming was already wreaking havoc and that those countries least responsible for harmful emissions would suffer the worst consequences.

That is probably a big reason for the inertia of the biggest polluting nations on the planet. If the effects hit their homelands heavily, perhaps they’d make good on their promises instead of just paying lip service.

The Post noted IPCC figures showing the richest 10% of the population produce three times the pollution of the poorest 50%. And the IPCC’s research showed that about one billion people in the world’s poor and low-lying countries are facing worsening weather disasters, dwindling fish and farm production, and other crises despite causing only about 1% of the harmful emissions.

Meanwhile, the oil companies are merrily reaping record profits. Reuters reported that Big Oil more than doubled its profits to a combined $219 billion in 2022 from 2021. Reuters’ graph showed an increase of about 10 times more than the major oil firms made in the COVID year of 2020 and about $50 billion more than any year since at least 2010.

All the while, these fossil fools are greenwashing their image in TV ads like they’re working diligently toward renewable energy. And the politicians purportedly protecting us are prostituting themselves to the perverted polluters.

Even President Biden has failed on his campaign promise for no new drilling. The New York Times reported on March 12, that Biden has approved a huge oil project in Alaska called Willow. Environmental activists and some Native Americans who live close to the project have opposed it, to no avail against the fierce lobbying by the oil industry and labor unions. The Times article noted that Biden plans sweeping restrictions on other drilling to temper criticism of the Willow project.

Mr. President, that’s not good enough. Last year’s Inflation Reduction Act was the biggest environmental legislation in half a century, even though the final version got watered down by Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.V. But on Willow, there is no concession necessary. It’s the same old story of caving to the corporations rather than protecting the planet.

The affluent countries must do their share of financing climate mitigation measures. The obvious offenders, oil oligarchs, should be held accountable and pay the many billions needed to offset the damage their product has caused, like the tobacco companies were forced to do back in the 1990’s. They can easily afford it. That would be fairer than making middle-class taxpayers foot the bulk of the bill.

Let’s not forget coal either. China is forging full-steam ahead on coal-burning plants, despite the horrendous air pollution their citizens must breathe. Those coal plants add mightily to the climate crisis. It’s hard to put pressure on a dictatorship to change its ways, but trade sanctions could help because China’s economy depends on exports.

The industrialized world must grow up and take responsibility for its actions. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has demanded that the United States and other developed countries eliminate carbon emissions by 2040 – a decade sooner than expected, and sooner than many less developed countries are aiming for.

The UN chief said the world can’t afford any more delays or finger-pointing. “Demanding others move first only ensures humanity comes last,” said Guterres. “We don’t have a moment to lose.”

Frank Lingo, based in Lawrence, Kansas, is a former columnist for the Kansas City Star and author of the novel “Earth Vote.” Email: lingofrank@gmail.com. See his website: Greenbeat.world

From The Progressive Populist, May 1, 2023

Populist.com