Do smaller nations' climate efforts matter? Examining the '1% of emissions' argument
By
Ajit Niranjan
Summary
This article examines the argument made by leaders of wealthy nations (UK, Australia, Germany) that their countries' relatively small share of global emissions (under 1-1.3%) justifies delaying climate action. It critically analyzes this reasoning, exploring whether smaller emitters' efforts matter in the global fight against climate change, and challenges the notion that individual national contributions are insignificant when aggregated or when considering leadership and moral responsibility.
Source
bskyDo smaller nations' climate efforts matter? Examining the '1% of emissions' argumenttheguardian.comKey quotes
· 2 pulledWhen our share of global emissions is less than 1%, how can it be right that British citizens are now being told to sacrifice even more than others?
In 2019, Scott Morrison, Australia's then prime minister, used his country's 1.3% of global emissions to reject any suggestion Australia was not 'doing our bit' on climate breakdown.
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