Lights, camera… change?
Grace Matu
The Cost of Going Green
Are Climate Solutions Equal?
Resembling a tilted plain field, an economic inequality vilify the current world. Regions that includes the North America, Western Europe and Oceania collectively known as the “Global North”. Benefits from centuries of industrialization, capital accumulation through the colonial project and steady institutions. This directly influenced the maturation of a standard high income, robust social safety nets and advanced infrastructure. The region of the world that consist parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America; collectively called the “Global South” continues to grapple with the lingering shadows of unfair trade relationships constructed by a western institutions, past saga of colonial exploitation and structural dependency in key sectors. This directly results in limited investments and limited expansion in sectors of health care and education. Further, low wages and the economic structure are prone to the slightest shock. The divide and the inequality is not just about wealth but also reflects in power, opportunities and the momentum where the flow of resources are regulated. This further, keep the global map not a level playing field.
This inequality apparently is also reflected in the green ambition of both worlds. For the Global North, environmental projects are often driven with the help of sleek technology, long-term planning, special government/private apparatus, renewable energy projects and carbon markets. The projects of the western world can easily be recognised as it pushes institutions to reduce environmental impact by ‘sacrificing’ existing prodigal lifestyle that could be afforded in the economic and social setup. It mostly resembles a renovation of traditional economies. While in the Global South, it is a quest in tighter constraints. In these poorer economies the green project must compete with heated debates and attention towards urgent needs of poverty attraction, eradication, building infrastructure and access to basic energy. While the North can afford being more green in its axis, the South is asked to grow with restrictions and with more responsibility without having the chance to freely grow in the first place.
The contemporary global economy is still a ghost which carries reminisce of the older story. The same old story which the western nations had an everlasting head start. Through violent and forceful colonial expansion of centuries, resource extraction, destruction, suppression of colonial industries to cement early profitable industrialisation in the west; European nations and its extension such as the United States of America accumulated wealth infrastructure and institutional stability which obviously compounded over time. This historical advantage was and still is forced to continue through bodies created and controlled by these powers. By this unquestioned power reinforced by military and political pressure ensures control over global political systems, technological innovations and rule establishing structures that shape trade investments and rights of intellectual property. This results in creating a comfortable cushion for western economies to absorb shocks of rapid innovation and future investments for the so called “Green Project”. This points to the futility of present active efforts of the Global South to be greener while the accumulated momentum inherited by western economies proves to take an unfair advantage.
In the case of the economies in the Global South these inequalities does not come in isolated packages rather in piles to a table which is already full. The new laws dictated by the Global North creates for a web of restrictions which is more complex and more difficult to navigate. Most developing nations of the Global South are constraint by debt, dysfunctional institutions and fragile governments. In case of rapidly expanding countries like India and China the structural pressure becomes more complex. Even though these countries have rapid economic growth there is coexistence of internal inequalities and environmental stress as these countries are production hubs of the world. Both these nations are well integrated into global trade but will be deeply affected by new expectations forced by the wealthier and more powerful west; a strong clash of fundamental developmental needs and ambitious green transitions.
Green living with all its moral shine comes with a hefty price tag. In much of the Global North households can afford sustainable housing, electric cars, tools for clean energy and organic food as their higher income supports it. Along with the boon of higher income government subsidies and existing top-notch infrastructure makes green living a convenience rather than a burden. For majority of Global South life is structured around cost sensitivity; where priority is not reducing carbon footprint but to acquire affordable food, shelter and energy for daily basic functions. Sustainable alternatives, if available at all will be more expensive as it lacks institutional support which in short makes it a luxury rather than a convenience.
Too fairly and realistically to address this all making global inequality in the green transition project there should be International Corporation and local empowerment.
1. Fair global trade and finance – Global South should be given access to affordable capital, technology and markets which are systematically restricted by western institutions. Exploitative deals like the ones which European powers still maintain with their former colonies in Africa for raw materials, for exchange of trinkets should be struck down.
2. Sharing of technology – Fair transfer of technology and expertise in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and green transport. Hording technological expertise for profits would be detrimental for the green project if it is meant to be achieved.
3. Lesser consumptions – The Global North should stop the excessive use of the resources of the planet so that the Global South shouldn’t sacrifice and toil to meet the demands of the North.
A just green transition demands consideration of all these criteria so that the burden is not unfairly placed on the Global South and going green becomes non discriminative.
Also global south should be educated in saving resources and going green and its impact on enviornment.