Rich Cause 66% of Global Warming: Study

Wealth Fuels Climate Crisis

Is wealth the hidden driver of climate catastrophe? A groundbreaking study reveals that the world’s richest 10% are responsible for two-thirds of global warming since 1990, intensifying deadly heatwaves and droughts. Published in Nature Climate Change, the research links the carbon footprints of the ultra-wealthy to real-world climate impacts, calling for accountability through targeted wealth taxes. The Guardian highlights the stark inequality in climate responsibility.

The Cost of Wealth: Heatwaves and Droughts

Led by Sarah Schoengart at ETH Zurich, the study shows the richest 1% contribute 26 times more to once-in-a-century heatwaves and 17 times more to Amazon droughts compared to the global average. Emissions from the wealthiest 10% in the US and China, which account for nearly half of global carbon pollution, have driven a two-to-threefold increase in extreme heat. By combining economic data and climate simulations, researchers traced emissions from investments and consumption, revealing the outsized role of capital ownership.

Heatwave Driven by Wealth Emissions. Source: Pixabay

Brazil’s Push for Climate Justice

Brazil, as 2024 G20 host, proposed a 2% tax on billionaires’ net worth to address climate and economic inequality, a move stalled by global inaction, particularly after Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Reuters notes the G20’s agreement to tax ultra-high-net-worth individuals lacks follow-through. Oxfam reports the richest 1% amassed $42 trillion in new wealth over the past decade, surpassing the wealth of the bottom 95% combined.

A Taste of Brazil: Feijoada Recipe

Celebrate Brazil’s leadership in climate justice with Feijoada, a soul-warming black bean and pork stew, perfect for sharing with community.

Feijoada Recipe

• Ingredients: 1 lb black beans (soaked), 1 lb pork shoulder (cubed), 1/2 lb smoked sausage (sliced), 1/2 lb bacon (chopped), 1 onion (chopped), 4 garlic cloves, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt, pepper, 1 orange (halved, optional), rice, orange slices, farofa.
• Instructions:
  1. Drain beans. Boil in water, then simmer 1 hour.
  2. Cook bacon until crispy; set aside. Brown pork and sausage; add to beans.
  3. Sauté onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper. Add to pot.
  4. Add bay leaves, orange. Simmer 1.5-2 hours until thick. Remove orange, bay leaves.
  5. Serve over rice with bacon, orange slices, farofa.

Published by Planet-Today.com. Source: AFP. Additional sources: Nature Climate Change, The Guardian, Reuters.