The richest 1% pollution levels are responsible for more carbon emissions than the poorest 66%, reports The Guardian.
The Oxfam study shows that this elite group, made up of 77 million people including billionaires, millionaires and those paid more than US$140,000 (£112,500) a year, accounted for 16% of all CO2 emissions in 2019.
“The super-rich are plundering and polluting the planet to the point of destruction and it is those who can least afford it who are paying the highest price,” said Chiara Liguori, Oxfam’s senior climate justice policy adviser. The twin crises of climate and inequality were “fuelling one another”, she said.
Richest 1% Pollution
Oxfam Australian shared a video on the matter and wrote: ” The richest 1% produces more climate pollution than two-thirds of humanity!
“Today, we proudly launched our flagship report on the climate crisis and inequality. Rich polluters must begin compensating for the devastation they’ve caused to the planet and the lives of those who have done the LEAST to cause the climate crisis.”
Oxfan Media Team wrote on X: “Richest 1% emit as much planet-heating pollution as 2/3 of humanity. “The super-rich are plundering and polluting the planet to the point of destruction, leaving humanity choking on extreme heat, floods and drought.”
Oxfam International’s interim executive director, Amitabh Behar, said: “Not taxing wealth allows the richest to rob from us, ruin our planet and renege on democracy. Taxing extreme wealth transforms our chances to tackle both inequality and the climate crisis. These are trillions of dollars at stake to invest in dynamic 21st-century green governments, but also to re-inject into our democracies.”
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