Environment_CO2 emissions cut vs Economic growth

CO₂ emissions cut vs Economic growth: Should we keep on embracing National economic growth?

By Henry Kazula,

Environmental scientist, analyst & activist

MSc. Environmental science and engineering,

MDG Enviro-Forum: Jielimishe Kwanza! Social Enterprise

 

                                    

CO₂ being among other greenhouse gases i.e.CH₄, SO_X, NO_X and water vapor is of highly concern due to its direct effect to global warming. The CO₂ emissions are from coal burning in power plants.
Whereas, other nations now shifting from relying on coal energy to renewable energy i.e. wind, solar and hydropower being sources of power generation – “green energy” as well preferred said. Also, thanks to God that a huge amount of gas has been found in Tanzania.

Sporadic relying on coal as a source to power generation for economic growth has led most Nations, the world at large to cry for climate changes impacts that linked to global warming.
Recently, on 24^th October 2014 BBC reported a very surprising information from Brussels through Science and Environment segment that “the EU leaders have reached a landmark deal to cut greenhouse gas emission by 40% by 2030,compared with 1990 levels.” Is it possible? We better try to analyze it very carefully! Imagine 40% by 2030, so that they continue to emit greenhouse gases for their economic growth as per stated time bound! .

The binding decision came after heated discussions at a summit in Brussels, as some members had argued that their varied interests should be protected. The correspondents say the final deal is a compromise between countries that rely heavily on coal, and those willing to instill greater emission cuts… reported from BBC.

The agreement seems not to be achievable as far as the interest to economic growth of EU members is concerned. As it was reported from BBC that, Poland as one of EU members is heavily reliant on coal, fears that the costs of decarbonizing its economy will slow business growth. Also, concerning protection of varied interests on economic blooming among members is an alarm to the effectiveness of the agreement. Each member seems to embrace national economic growth; no matter the danger that will arise to the environment for the sake of competing against rivals. This game is in agreement with Swahili proverb- “Wakutanapo mafahari wawili ziumiazo ni nyasi”- meaning that, when the giants keep on fighting, the grasses suffer. thus developing nations are more likely to suffer the consequences.

No one can deny that industrialized nations; EU in particular are highly contributing to pollution in the world and they have noticed this fact in pain thus, currently decided to find good name for “Industrial polluter” as “free market economy” to propagandize -referred and addressed by an actor Leonardo De Caprios speech on UN climate summit in 2014; he was not acting at the summit in view of the fact that it is something in practice.

We can strongly disagree with confident that the landmark to cut CO₂ emission is unachievable with regards to the self-interests of EU members to stabilize the economy. EU members have reached such an agreement to brainwash / propagandize the minds of other Nations making efforts to curb the moster-CO₂ gas emission. In a real situation with another side of coin EU wants to pursue to become the most economic stable nation in the World with other counterparts USA and Japan.

From now onward, it is very important that most people including economists, politicians, environmentalist and scientists and other economic stakeholders should ask themselves this question- “should we embrace economic growth for CO₂ emissions to cost other innocent people around the globe?” before they make decisions and conducting more studies.

It is from such a context that the key actors to decision making should steer up societies and human groups towards a desired outcome (as preferred said by Young that it is that of maintenance of benign climate change) and away from undesired outcome as far as the environment is concerned i.e. that of “tragedy of the commons”-That has to do with common pool resources i.e. air-in this context shared by all people.

Published by Jielimishe Kwanza