Last year, I stumbled upon a speech by Vijay Prashard that I resonated with. In the video, Prashard criticizes the West for holding developing countries such as India and China responsible for significantly contributing to climate change, when the root of the issue stems from historical and economic factors such as the aftermath of colonialism on a post-colonial India and outsourcing of unsustainable manufacturing to countries such as China. I also think that calling for control on carbon emissions is unfair to developing countries as they may heavily depend on fossil fuels to even barely just get by or lack the infrastructure or resources to develop alternative energy sources.
Given that we live in a world where not everyone begins at the same starting point, I believe that it is important that peoples who hail from developing countries should not be pressured to be held at the same environmental standard as people who come from developed countries. I also believe that responsibility for Climate Change should be designated not just by superficial factors such as current air quality but also by addressing the causes of underlying issues such as oppression and poverty so that we can approach a world that is more just.
I envision a world where different peoples of different standings can progress at their own pace without being criticized of being indifferent about the environment when addressing ecological problems takes lower priority over simply surviving in this unforgiving world.
I believe that in order to solve this issue, we need to address the dark and persistent history of exploitation, oppression and humiliation that is inextricably connected to it. We need to call reconciliatory action and by this I don't just mean monetary reparations. We need to educate the general public and not obscure the past atrocities committed by colonial and warmongering nations that attempt to whitewash or downplay them in the present. Only then can we gain the slightest glimpse of how these people have suffered and have been deprived of a future of prosperity. Only then can we understand that not everyone stands on the same ground when it comes to climate change. Perhaps in a future where we do achieve such a feat, others can provide unconditional aid to those in need and pull them up to the same level so that we can approach a more sustainable world together.
Hi R, I totally agree. There should be more responsibility placed on developed countries to commit themselves to solving the climate crisis, as it's only fair. Not only do they have more resources and money to spend on this issue, most developed countries also have used more fossil fuels and have polluted the Earth more than most developing countries, so it should only be fair that they should be expected to be more responsible for fixing the climate crisis, as well.
Dear R,
Thank you for sharing Vishal Prashard's passionate condemnation of the ills of colonialism.
We should not be blaming developing countries for coping with the effects of what we have been compelled by imposed conditions of poverty to accept - 2nd hand technology and poor access to continuing education and comprehensive educational eco-social communications. Although I am not saying that "the latest is always the greatest", the worst is when inferior insufficient technology and materials are employed due to poverty and the withholding of the best technological and material resources due to, shall I say it? technological, material, and talent hoarding?
Food glorious food! The global south must embrace the fact that food production and sharing is the key to the end of poverty. Maybe we should stop making non-essential implements for the developed world and instead reclaim this land for food cultivation! Food is essential! Manufacturing isn't always essential; unless it directly supports the food distribution system!
The fact that you mention humiliation, oppression and exploitation speaks to all of us of severe and outrageous injustice. What doesn't make sense to me is when we manufacture assault rifles in a country that has too many people struggling to have enough to eat; eat rifles? eat metal? hell, no! I am assaulted by the fact that in the Philippines, there are many who literally live off the garbage of the fast convenience food consuming culture's "smoky mountain" - the people who live on smoky mountain are not ashamed of their discarded food salvaging culture; in fact, some have refused to leave their makeshift homes - even when offered new accommodations off smoky mountain.
For all the ways my consumerist behaviour has harmed and not helped over the past few decades I have lived, I am sorry. I hope we can use this forum to better educate ourselves of the most ecologically sustainable choices we can make going forward - and ask ourselves, "If I buy this _____ for it's short-term benefits , how will the 7th Generation be able to thank me or diss me and blame me for its positive and negative impacts?"