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‘The lifestyles of the rich must change if we are to solve the…
‘The lifestyles of the rich must change if we are to solve the environmental change’
Lifestyles
In order for the wealthy to uphold their affluent lifestyles, they must adhere to the exclusivity of these luxury brands; for instance, having an extensive spending history with a brand to qualify for a new purchase.
BBC 2021
Bill Gates, who is one of the most high-profile environmental advocates, ironically was reported to have taken '59 flights in 2017' which generated over 1,600 tonnes of greenhouse gasses. This amount is 'equivalent to the average yearly emissions of 105 Americans'.
Medium 2022
One hour of flight on a private jet emits 8.87 metric tonnes of carbon emissions, which is greater than what 6 average people cause in all activities in a year.
The average person is responsible for emitting 1.4 metric tonnes annually. Private aircrafts 'are anywhere from 5-14 times more polluting than commercial planes'.
Consumption
Weidmann et al. 2020
The article highlights that 'income is strongly linked with consumption', the top 10% income earners are responsible for 25 - 43% of environmental impact.
Forbes 2019
Surveys indicate that on average affluent consumers spend $44,000 per year on luxury goods.
The rich get to enjoy their consumption, whilst those in less economically developed countries suffer as a result.
Financial Times 2021
It was reported that LEDC's experience the highest number of fatalities from natural disasters which are a result of climate change.
Particularly, the drought in Ethiopia which caused 300,000 fatalities.
This links to Weidmann's 2020 statement that 'environmental resources and social impacts are exerted unequally across the world population' further indicating that climate change reinforces inequality.
Solutions
CNN
Unfortunately, many wealthy people are not just economic decision makers, they also possess large political influence, being able to fund political campaigns as well as having access to lawmakers which makes it more difficult for those in power to hold them accountable for their participation.
This links back to Sombart 1930's idea that capitalism is aristocratic in nature and those with average abilities are unable to influence change.
BBC 2021
A policy idea called "choice editing" is where they restrict carbon intensive products - like private jets or mega yachts from coming into the market. The concept is low-carbon options for the rich to choose from, reduces the chances of these purchases being made in the first place.
Medium 2022
Canada is beginning to impose 'luxury taxes on high-cost vehicles - including cars, boats and private planes.'
Evaulation
who actually are the “rich”, when we think of the term “the rich” we think of millionaires and billionaires but research from Stockholm environment institute suggests that an income of $38,000 (£27,500) is enough to put someone in the world’s richest 10% and $109,000 (£79,000) puts them in the top 1%. - the blame shouldn’t all be placed on those millionaires but shared with the average citizen. The average person in the uk emits 8.5 tonnes of carbon a year and rises to 14.2 tonnes in Canada.