Ultra-Consumerism Threatens Global Climate Crisis Leads To Alarming Future of Inequality

The next few years will be more challenging in the light of climate

The authors of the Earth Commission claim that even though the Earth has beyond a series of safe planetary boundaries due to increasing environmental degradation and climate instability, it is still possible to create a safe place where everyone can flourish.

All humankind could enjoy a bright and democratic future, but the space for development is fast contracting due to demand from a minority of wealthy ultra-consumers.

To achieve a more equitable distribution of resources, the widespread adoption of low-carbon and sustainable use of technology needs a radical transformation of global politics, economics, and society.

Restrict excessive consumption and increase taxes to reduce inequality and increase revenue for investment in technology and infrastructure.

A study aimed to map out how a planet of 7.9 billion people could live within safe boundaries while still accessing basic needs like food, water, energy, shelter, and transportation.

The study says that the fair floor of basic living standards includes 2500 calories of food, 100 liters of water, and 0.7 kWh of electricity in addition to 15 square meters of living area and 4,500 kilometers of annual transportation.

Then, they calculated, using planetary boundaries as a guide, the amount of space between this and the safety ceiling of the maximum amount that human activity could alter without destabilizing the ecosystem.

The results showed that all people can’t live a healthy life due to highly unequal fossil fuel-intensive social and environmental conditions. The impact is disproportionately felt by the poor.

The places where people are at the most risk from population, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate change are Brazil (79 million), Indonesia (194 million), and India (1 billion).

More than 200 million people are also at risk of high wet bulb temperatures in China, India, and Pakistan due to a 1-2 degree Celsius increase in global temperatures above preindustrial levels.

The next few years will be more challenging in the light of climate. If significant changes are not made by now, there won’t be any safe spaces left by 2050. It implies that Earth will remain outside the climate limit in 2050, even if everyone has access to the resources required to achieve a basic standard of living.

The director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research warned that the environment has reached its critical point, comparing it to a ceiling so low and a floor so high that there is no room for any activity. He stated that economic and social reforms must be taken urgently in response to the alarming reality.

Reducing excessive consumption, especially in wealthier nations, can create more opportunities for others. It is observed that people tend to consume less in economic systems that prioritize public health, equality, and democracy. By reducing the demand, emissions can be reduced by 40-80% leading to improvement in human and environmental welfare. 

Some strategies to achieve these goals include progressive taxation, grade resource pricing, land-use planning, and green technologies. These strategies aim to shape economic systems to achieve long-term sustainability goals while addressing inequality.

Cities and businesses have a better chance of bringing these changes soon since they are less reliant on business interests and more flexible than national governments. On the other hand, global efforts like the UN Secretary-General called for a solidarity pact, and the reform of the UN could help ensure fair access to resources and create reasonable and safe regulations.

Despite rising inequality and nationalist politics, it is hopeful that public opinion and governments can change, especially under intensifying climate stress. Being fair is essential for economic stability. Ignoring it will lead to social instability, migration, and conflict, negatively impacting the economy.