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Inequality and development - emissions from high income nations dwarf those of poor countries

29th January 2022

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The unequal contributions made across the globe to climate change are revealed in this Guardian article.

The article provides a stark observation: "each Briton produces 200 times the climate emissions of the average Congolese person, with people in the US producing 585 times as much."

As a result, the Centre for Global Development suggests that the attitude of the West to climate change negotiations at COP26 was hypocritical. And there's a fantastic graphic showing the day in January when the emissions of the average Briton match those of a number of developing economies.

"By the end of January, the carbon emitted by someone living in the UK will surpass the annual emissions of citizens of 30 low- and middle-income countries"

The West has a consumption problem. The biggest way to make a change is simply to consume less. However, our economy is built in the constant requirement to buy more and more stuff we don’t need. https://t.co/kj961JFlcS
— Kate Evans (@KateEFEvans) January 28, 2022

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Graham Watson

Graham Watson has taught Economics for over twenty years. He contributes to tutor2u, reads voraciously and is interested in all aspects of Teaching and Learning.

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Inequality and development - emissions from high income nations dwarf those of poor countries

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Inequality and development - emissions from high income nations dwarf those of poor countries

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