The major dilemma about solving climate change is that increase in emissions is directly linked with development in an economy.
The more a country emits, the more it advances. It is one of the negative externalities of capitalism.
The highest emitters (countries) are the most developed. The lowest emitters are the least developed or developing economies.
Check this:
- For Country A to develop, it needs to increase emissions
- Emissions are bad for the environment and Country A shouldn’t emit
- Therefore Country A shouldn’t develop
This is the issue.
Another angle is to tell developed countries to reduce emissions thereby reducing economic activity and decreasing economic growth. So developed regresses to being undeveloped
This doesn’t have to be the case though. There are alternatives but the rich countries aren’t really ready to spend to develop them. This is apart from the issues those alternatives have.
Side Note: In case you don’t know, renewable energy is not the same as clean energy. Renewable energy does damage to the earth.
If you don’t know already, transition for Africa is really expensive and almost impossible in this time frame (2050).
People can barely afford Tokunbo cars in Nigeria and you are now telling them they must buy a Tesla
Haba!
That leapfrog is both unfair and “unpossible”.
These rich countries in 2010 pledged to spend $100 billion every year till 2025 to fix climate change.
This is 2021, only $ 10 billion has been spent so far.
This is why most African leaders went to COP26 to literally beg for money.
Go and read Buhari’s speech and see. He was even saying 2060 was our target, not 2050.
That’s why climate activists like Greta Thunberg don’t mention Africa or call out our leaders. Generally, Africa isn’t really in the conversation about climate change.
So is humanity doomed?
Is this problem that will ultimately lead to our end? ‘
Lots of scientists are actually concerned about this issue, they don’t have a solution.
I really don’t think so. We have survived a lot: the Bubonic plague (Black Death), The Spanish Flu, COVID-19, numerous natural and unnatural disasters (e.g. Chernobyl) and so on.
Yet, we are still on top of the food chain.
We are extremely resilient and have a habit of solving problems.
Las las
We all will go to Mars.
I really don’t see a situation where everyone will cooperate though. So it will need an innovative mind or a group of innovative minds to solve this issue.
As business people will say: “See problems as opportunities”
If you can see this issue as an opportunity and solve it you would be rewarded massively.
People say Elon Musk would be the first trillionaire ever. Remember his wealth comes from providing a partial solution to this problem. Imagine what you can make if you provide a sustainable solution.
That’s if you don’t get killed before enjoying the benefits.
No jokes.
Energy is not a small play o.
Remember, you will be replacing the energy source that gives the entire Middle East its wealth.
