Why the Global South needs to take charge against the Climate Crisis

Cameron Leah

February 29

The threat of climate change is universal. The impacts of a hastily shifting climate will be felt on many levels, but in certain areas more than others. For instance, rising sea levels are threatening coastline cities as opposed to cities situated on higher ground. This is a relatively easy assumption to make. However, climate change will affect the global south with much more ferocity than the global north in manners that are not as easy to discern on the surface. With this in mind, it is imperative that the global south take charge on fighting back against climate change. It is not only beneficial for the global environment, but beneficial for the citizens of the countries most affected by it.

It is important to recognize that the production of CO2 emissions, which are the drivers of a changing climate, are not released equally among countries. This is not to say that other countries producing small amounts (and therefore not contributing to the climate crisis at the same level of bigger states) should not be focused on tackling this issue, rather, there ought to be a more pronounced effort on behalf of the large producers in decreasing their emissions. China is the world’s largest producer of CO2 emissions. In 2022, China produced more emissions than the United States, Russia, India and Japan combined. Additionally, China’s emissions have gone up 30% since 2010 while the US has decreased emissions by 10%. Aside from CO2 emissions, they do not have a great record of keeping their own environment clean, and with all things considered it is not a surprise that a country at the forefront of the climate crisis would benefit from taking steps to clean up its act.

Another point to consider is that the climate crisis will cause immense harm to China, and its neighbouring countries. There are many articles and studies that showcase the types of damage the nation may face in the upcoming decades. One source states Chinese heatwaves will become longer, flooding risks will increase, and the costs to repair damaged infrastructure will exceed hundreds of billions of dollars. Countries within and around the global south hold sovereignty over numerous islands and low-altitude cities/towns that face the potential of being swept away at sea due to rising sea levels. Rising sea levels are even reportedly going to threaten popular cities such as Shanghai, perpetuating the notion that climate change is a critical ailment of the planet for humans worldwide.

China has previously announced initiatives aimed at limiting CO2 emissions, while simultaneously building up a large solar energy capacity. Some sources state China is going to exceed its 2030 goals on solar energy capacity up to five years sooner than expected. Additionally, while coal and fossil fuel usage is continually rising and may for some time, solar and wind fields are being built and utilized at faster rates than ever before. While these initiatives represent positive shifts in the right direction, experts would say more work needs to be done. However, both perspectives can be true at once. One, positive shifts are taking place and two, these shifts are not adequate enough to tackle the problem in a suitable time frame.

Overall, it would not be fair to place the blame of a rapidly changing climate on one nation alone. However, it is clear that seismic shifts in policy with regard to climate action would work wonders for the international effort against man-made climate change. China, being a global leader in the production of harmful emissions, should take advantage of the possibility of being recognized as a leader in the fight for our planet's health. There would inevitably be consequences for them reforming their economy to suit a greener world, as evidenced through certain analysis. Ultimately though, it would serve them well on a global stage, help their foreign relationships, and most importantly save lives. The clock is ticking on meaningful change being implemented, but hope is not lost. While time is running thin, countries like China have an opportunity to seriously alter the course of humanity, in a positive way.