A prominent Global Times editorial entitled “Modi’s ambitious climate pledge incompatible with India’s starving population,” is the most powerful statement that has been made, so far, of the necessity of economic development over climate colonialism. Global Times makes the point that rich nations should explain how poor nations should meet climate targets without renouncing the fight against poverty.
“It is an open question as to whether India’s economy can support its ambitious emissions-reduction target. The 2015 Paris climate agreement’s goal to limit global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels is supposed to address climate change and its negative impacts. Yet, if emissions-reduction efforts fail to consider improving livelihoods, domestic pressure of hunger will likely derail environmental protection efforts,” the unsigned editorial said.
“When Western leaders tout their efforts toward limiting global warming by pressuring the developing world to sign up for bigger targets, they are, in effect, passing the buck of climate action. Developed countries have used fossil fuels for decades or longer to enjoy the benefits of high living standards, contributing to historic emissions much higher than developing countries that are reluctant to stop using their share of fossil fuels to give up the interests of their poor population.
