127 billionaires are contributing to climate change as much as some entire countries

changing of the climate it is an increasingly tangible reality. Thus, among the population there are more and more awareness, the fruit of worry, to see how the planet will worry. Little by little, individually, we are implementing small measures such as reducing plastic consumption, using public transport more, preferring trains over planes, or eating less meat. These small measures are more effective than nothing, but it is clear that their impact will not be the same for everyone. ‘Cause we’re not all the same carbon footprint and, coincidentally, those who are most involved tend to have a much smaller footprint. That’s why the report just published Oxfam in which the impact of emissions from investments billionaires.

If we look at emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases related to their daily lives, thousands of times higher than the average. It is logical, given that everyday life of billionaires It includes yachts and private flights. However, if we go further and analyze emissions from your investmentsthe figure increases and becomes more than a million times higher than the average.

This logically indicates that their awareness of climate change will be much stronger than that of most mortals. However, usually the companies they invest in resort to greenwashing instead of actually doing good business.

The influence of billionaires on climate change

In a report recently released by Oxfam on the occasion KS27 results are analyzed as greenhouse gas emissions 127 billionaires. Between all of them they have a collective participation $2.4 billion across 183 companies. And, if we take into account the proportionality of the emissions of these companies in relation to what they invest in them, we can say that they produce on average annually 3 million tons of carbon dioxide per person. This is a million times more than what people living in the bottom 90% throw away. In fact, the sum of these 127 people is equivalent to what entire countries produce, for example France.

On the other hand, the report indicates that the numbers could be much higher as not all companies are transparent about their emissions. These studies were conducted using publicly available data, so what is not reported is not included. And perhaps those who pollute the environment the least report it.

It can be fixed?

Now, will the solution be to ask these people to take emergency action in the face of climate change? Of course, this would be a good idea, but not an option either. Whatever economic power the billionaires wield, the most extraordinary measures must be taken. from governments. WWF UK Executive Director of Science and Conservation Mike Barrett recently stated this in his Living Planet report. We cannot expect the population to take action if their governments do nothing about it.

Therefore, it is up to the rulers to establish the measures to be carried out the richest and the poorest. Although sometimes it seems that the latter are most willing to perform them.

Just as there are governments that impose taxes on the capital of each person, it would also be interesting in taking these measures to pay special attention to billionaires. Because its role in climate change is much bigger than we might think. Not only for yachts.