Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Reduced Inequality Required for a Safe Climate

Can all people on earth have a reasonable standard of living at the same time as we can guarantee a stable climate and preserve biodiversity? Yes, according to the researchers behind a comprehensive report.

» Updated: 12 September 2024, 09:33

» Published: 12 September 2024

Reduced Inequality Required for a Safe Climate
Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP/TT

The report, which over 60 researchers from 20 countries are behind and which is published in The Lancet Planetary Health, has taken on five of the systems that shape the planet. It deals with everything from climate change, biological diversity, and water supply to air pollution and eutrophication.

Earlier, researchers have shown that we have exceeded the limits of what several of these systems can tolerate. The researchers now define what they call "the safe and just space". It's about the space where we can live under decent conditions without the planet and ecosystems collapsing.

Clear message

We must reduce inequality and share the Earth's resources better to have a safe planet. Everyone around the world needs access to resources to have a decent standard of living, and at the same time, we must stay within the limits of what these vital systems can tolerate, says Lisa Jacobson, co-author and project manager for the Earth Commission at Future Earth in Sweden.

Johan Rockström, head of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and professor at Stockholm University, is one of those who have participated in the work. He says that by measuring and quantifying the limits of, for example, how much carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation the planet can tolerate, we can set budgets and goals.

We cannot continue to subsidize the rich white minority to have unsustainable production and consumption. It's by measuring and pricing the cost of harming the planet that it can make a difference, he says.

Not too late

The researchers also point to areas in the world where these limits have already been exceeded. It's about areas that are already affected by poverty, extreme weather, and political uncertainty, such as India, Bangladesh, and parts of Africa.

But it's not too late to turn the development around, according to the researchers. The hope is that companies and decision-makers at both global and local levels will use the report as a guide and make changes.

If we reduce inequality and transform our energy and production systems, the safe space can be enough for everyone, says Lisa Jacobson.

This is something that needs to be done nationally as well as globally.

Not so many years ago, Sweden was a driving force for EU climate policy, but now we are more of a trailer. The EU is now a guarantee that we won't lose the pace completely, it's a sad development, says Johan Rockström.

In the current report, the researchers focus on five areas: climate, biological diversity, freshwater, eutrophication/nutrients, and air pollution.

The report highlights several examples of countries where planetary boundaries have already been exceeded:

In India, around 1 billion people live in areas where nature has too low a capacity to provide ecosystem services, i.e., products and services from nature such as crops and water.

In Bangladesh, 30 million people are at risk of being affected by rising sea levels.

India is hardest hit by water scarcity, but even in Germany, 76 million people live in areas with uncertain access to groundwater.

Source: A just world on a safe planet: a Lancet Planetary Health–Earth Commission report on Earth-system boundaries, translations, and transformations

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Kristersson skips the climate summit
1 MIN READ

Kristersson skips the climate summit

Audit: Kinberg Batra's severance package not incorrect
1 MIN READ

Audit: Kinberg Batra's severance package not incorrect

Trapped under a work machine – taken to hospital
1 MIN READ

Trapped under a work machine – taken to hospital

Deadly Synthetic Opioids Classified as Narcotics
2 MIN READ

Deadly Synthetic Opioids Classified as Narcotics

Dropped investigation against Jomshof for hate crime
1 MIN READ

Dropped investigation against Jomshof for hate crime

The Government Extends Border Control
1 MIN READ

The Government Extends Border Control

Swedes arrested for terrorist crimes in Copenhagen
2 MIN READ

Swedes arrested for terrorist crimes in Copenhagen

Two students stabbed at school in Hallsberg
2 MIN READ

Two students stabbed at school in Hallsberg

Unannounced visits, a new weapon against benefit fraud
2 MIN READ

Unannounced visits, a new weapon against benefit fraud

16-year-old convicted of murder plan in Denmark
2 MIN READ

16-year-old convicted of murder plan in Denmark

Social Democrats' demands on Kristersson: EU plan for Ukraine support
2 MIN READ

Social Democrats' demands on Kristersson: EU plan for Ukraine support

Suspects Released After School Operation
1 MIN READ

Suspects Released After School Operation

The Verdict: Cannabis in the Blood of Pastry Poisoning Victims
1 MIN READ

The Verdict: Cannabis in the Blood of Pastry Poisoning Victims

The Kumla hackers gained access to "almost everything"
2 MIN READ

The Kumla hackers gained access to "almost everything"

Criminal got job as social worker
1 MIN READ

Criminal got job as social worker

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås
1 MIN READ

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors
1 MIN READ

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht
1 MIN READ

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study
1 MIN READ

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed
1 MIN READ

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed