A short essay about climate change and development

This is a take home exam I wrote for course 2204 at ISS in July, 2023.

Question: To what extend go you agree that climate change is the single greatest challenge confronting developing countries?

I find it hard to identify whether climate change is the single greatest challenge confronting developing countries. The mesh of interconnections makes it difficult to isolate specific issues and distinguish climate change-related concerns from those that are not. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that developing countries — despite my reservations about the term itself — are at the forefront of experiencing the direct and severe negative impacts of climate change. These impacts permeate every aspect of life, occurring at varying scales.

For instance, in everyday life, residents of oil extraction areas often support the expansion of the oil industry due to its role as the primary economic driver, even though they witness the environmental damage it causes (Arsel, Pellegrini, & Mena, 2019). The lack of viable alternatives worsens this situation. This dilemma underscores the challenge that arises when attempting to curtail fossil fuel consumption, as it could have significant geopolitical and economic consequences for the supplying countries, primarily developing nations (Le Billon & Kristoffersen, 2020). The socio-political-economic context of these countries is closely intertwined with the fossil fuel industry. Additionally, the shift towards green energy sources in the form of a so-called energy transition increases the demand for minerals, many of which are concentrated in developing countries. Consequently, during this transition, these countries must navigate a shift in dependence while wrestling with existing damages caused by fossil fuel industries, which cannot be repaired in a short timeframe. Moreover, mining operations associated with obtaining these minerals pose new environmental destruction risks and contribute to the formation of unstable geopolitical and economic conditions.

Compounding these challenges is the inadequate accountability of privileged developed countries, which bear historical, present, and near-future responsibilities for climate change (Shue, 2015). As Stevenson (2012) aptly stated, these countries often engage in “bullshit in global climate governance.” Their actions involve making self-serving statements that may not align with reality, offering hollow promises that are not upheld, engaging in nonsensical discourse, and using illogical arguments that ignore empirical evidence. The developing countries bear the brunt of the consequences of climate change, while their voices are silenced on the global political stage.

The challenges mentioned above span from individuals and local communities to the State and the international sphere. Climate change has undeniably caused profound effects on developed countries, trapping them in a web that seems incredibly difficult to escape. However, in response to the assignment question, I do not possess a clear-cut answer. Instead, I ponder: “Why are we, as beings on this planet, unable to coexist in balance? How can we, as a collective, strive to resolve this chaotic situation and establish a new equilibrium?” As an Earth being aware of my own positionality and interconnectedness, I view climate change as the single greatest challenge that compels us, as humans, to question our role as complex entities. Certain human contexts have been strongly associated, if not entirely responsible, for the current situation, wherein we are not only destroying our home planet but also harming other Earth beings while simultaneously endangering ourselves.

In conclusion, the challenges posed by climate change for developing countries are multifaceted and interrelated. The impacts reverberate across various spheres, from local communities to the global stage. While it is difficult to pinpoint a single greatest challenge, the urgency to address climate change and its effects is indisputable. It is necessary to take our individual and collective responsibilities for reaching a new balance amidst the chaos.

References

Arsel, M., Pellegrini, L. and Mena, C. (2019) Maria’s Paradox: Oil Extraction and the Misery of Missing Development Alternatives in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Le Billon, P. and Kristoffersen, B. (2020) ‘Just cuts for fossil fuels? Supply-side carbon constraints and energy transition’, Environment and planning. A, 52(6), pp. 1072–1092. doi: 10.1177/0308518X18816702.

Shue, H. (2015) ‘Historical Responsibility, Harm Prohibition, and Preservation Requirement: Core Practical Convergence on Climate Change’, Moral philosophy and politics, 2(1), pp. 7–31. doi: 10.1515/mopp-2013–0009.

Stevenson, H. (2021) ‘Reforming global climate governance in an age of bullshit’, Globalizations, 18(1), pp. 86–102. doi: 10.1080/14747731.2020.1774315.