Everyone Has An Influence On Climate Change, But The Great Rich Have More Ways To Save The Earth

Successful entrepreneur | Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Poor people suffer the most from climate change. The rich are the ones most responsible for the worsening condition of the earth. But, behind that, they are also very rich who can save the earth. How to?

British nonprofit Oxfam created a study showing that one percent of the carbon footprint of the richest people today is equivalent to 175 times the carbon footprint of the world's poorest ten percent of people today.

CNN reported that the consumption pattern of the rich in buying goods is a factor. Their habit of jigging is another factor, as they use more fossil fuels than other people. Even so, there are other options to save the earth.

The first is the wisdom of using wealth. In terms of energy consumption, for example. Ilona Otto and colleagues at the Potsdam Institute conducted a study. They recommended, "Regarding their own lifestyle choices, the rich can change a lot. For example, putting solar panels on their roofs. They can also afford electric cars. And it is best if they avoid traveling on airplanes."

In the study, air travel was cited as the main contributor to carbon footprint. By reducing air travel, the wealthy have played a role in reducing the impacts of climate change.

In another context, high-income consumers can change their consumption patterns by buying more environmentally friendly products from local farmers. In addition, "High-income cities and high-income individuals also have the resources to try out new products, services and solutions," said Tom Bailey, one of the researchers who contributed to the latest report on consumption in high-income cities. .

Invest wisely

Still in 2010 release data conducted by Oxfam. They estimate the number of billionaires doing business in the fossil fuel sector - including those on Forbes magazine's list of richest people - will increase sharply in the next few years.

Just right. It is recorded that from only 54 billionaires who invested in the fossil fuel sector in 2010, it appears to have increased to 88 people in 2015. Interestingly, the wealth of those who have a fossil fuel business has shot up. From the initial average of only US $ 200 billion, it has increased to more than US $ 300 billion.

This research encourages rich people to stop investing money in businesses that are against environmental care. They have that control. About where they want to invest their wealth.

This is very possible. Later, there is a trend, in which wealthy investors are busy selling their shares because they believe their investment can damage the environment. People call that environmental divestment.

Look at Leonardo Di Caprio

Leonardo Di Caprio (Source: IMDB)

We can see the Hollywood actor, Leonardo Di Caprio. The star of Titanic, Wolf of Wall Street and The Revenant recently signed a deal on an environmental divestment movement. Together with 22 rich Dutch people, Leo initiated a movement to eliminate personal wealth from 200 oil, gas and coal businesses among these rich people.

"You are not investing in coal, you are not investing in oil, gas, also in some car company that produces normal cars, or in airlines, so you are directing the flow of finance," said Otto.

With divestment, at least 1 percent of those contributing to environmental problems can contribute to reducing the impact of climate change. "We did some simulations that show that with the divestment movement, you don't need everyone to give up investing," Otto.

"If minority investors let go, other investors will not invest in fossil fuel assets because they will be afraid of losing money ... even if they don't have environmental concerns," he added.

Wealth is strength

They are the 1 percent group, not only able to make decisions related to the economic cycle in their own circle. They also have enormous political influence. Many wealthy people can fund one or two political parties at the same time, which results in them having a bargaining position in determining the flow of political policy.

Otto also argues that the rich can actually use their political power to trigger positive changes to world climate policy. "The richest with the highest emissions, they are actually the ultimate agent for changing things."

Therefore, the rich and super rich can become agents of change. Inevitably, the world today has high hopes for them. It should be noted, not to those who are still barely living. Remembering the poor can not do anything because they are busy surviving.

"But the educated, the rich and the super rich, it's a completely different case. They have the money and resources to act and they also have the social network," he explained.

Funding climate research

There are many examples of rich people who don't just think about their wealth alone. However, some of them also support research related to climate change. One of the richest people in the world who has helped research on climate change is Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Bill Gates spent 2 billion dollars from his fortune to fund renewable energy research and development in 2015. Meanwhile, in May, a group of scientists wrote to 100 charities and wealthy families in the UK asking them to help fund their environmental and environmental problems. climate change.

"We ask you to immediately consider significant investments to prevent further ecological catastrophes, either through your personal investment or your philanthropy," the letter said.