A new report from Oxfam has starkly exposed the role of America's super-rich in exacerbating the world's climate crisis. The findings, which were released ahead of the upcoming Cop30 summit, reveal that these billionaires and multimillionaires are consuming carbon at a staggering rate - 4,000 times faster than the poorest 10% of the global population.
The richest 0.1% of Americans emit an average of 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per day, equivalent to the weight of a rhinoceros or an SUV, while citizens in Somalia burn off just 82 grams of CO2 each day - roughly the mass of a single tomato or half a cup of rice.
This stark contrast highlights the disproportionate impact that climate change is having on vulnerable communities around the world. The report's findings are also echoed by another study published this week, which found that the richest 1% have 2.8 times higher emissions associated with their investments than with their consumption.
The super-rich are not just passive bystanders when it comes to climate policy; they are actively contributing to the problem through their investments and lobbying efforts. In the US, corporations spend an average of $277,000 per year on anti-climate lobbying, primarily led by petroleum and natural gas companies.
This trend is having devastating consequences for low- and middle-income countries, which are already struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change. The report estimates that the emissions of the richest 1% are enough to cause an estimated 1.3 million heat-related deaths by the end of the century and $44 trillion in economic damage.
Oxfam is calling for governments to take action to curb the influence of the super-rich over climate policy, including taxing their extreme wealth and banning their lobbying efforts. By putting those most affected by the climate crisis at the forefront of decision-making, Oxfam argues that we can break the chokehold of the wealthy elite on climate policy and create a more just and equitable world for all.
The report's findings are a stark reminder that the fight against climate change is not just about reducing emissions or transitioning to renewable energy - it is also about addressing the systemic inequalities and power imbalances that drive this crisis. By tackling the root causes of climate change, we can build a more sustainable future for all - but only if we work together to address the disproportionate impact of the super-rich on our planet's safe climate spaces.
The richest 0.1% of Americans emit an average of 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per day, equivalent to the weight of a rhinoceros or an SUV, while citizens in Somalia burn off just 82 grams of CO2 each day - roughly the mass of a single tomato or half a cup of rice.
This stark contrast highlights the disproportionate impact that climate change is having on vulnerable communities around the world. The report's findings are also echoed by another study published this week, which found that the richest 1% have 2.8 times higher emissions associated with their investments than with their consumption.
The super-rich are not just passive bystanders when it comes to climate policy; they are actively contributing to the problem through their investments and lobbying efforts. In the US, corporations spend an average of $277,000 per year on anti-climate lobbying, primarily led by petroleum and natural gas companies.
This trend is having devastating consequences for low- and middle-income countries, which are already struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change. The report estimates that the emissions of the richest 1% are enough to cause an estimated 1.3 million heat-related deaths by the end of the century and $44 trillion in economic damage.
Oxfam is calling for governments to take action to curb the influence of the super-rich over climate policy, including taxing their extreme wealth and banning their lobbying efforts. By putting those most affected by the climate crisis at the forefront of decision-making, Oxfam argues that we can break the chokehold of the wealthy elite on climate policy and create a more just and equitable world for all.
The report's findings are a stark reminder that the fight against climate change is not just about reducing emissions or transitioning to renewable energy - it is also about addressing the systemic inequalities and power imbalances that drive this crisis. By tackling the root causes of climate change, we can build a more sustainable future for all - but only if we work together to address the disproportionate impact of the super-rich on our planet's safe climate spaces.
I'm like 80% sure we're never gonna tackle climate change unless we change the way we think about money and power. These numbers are wild, though - 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per day? That's like, a small car or something 
. And it's not just that, it's the whole lobbying thing too. $277k per year? What are they even getting for their cash? 
Meanwhile, people in Somalia are literally burning off 82 grams of CO2 each day. It's like, basic math here... 
meanwhile the rest of us have to deal with heatwaves and droughts and whatnot... i mean 2 tons of co2 per day is crazy, who needs that kinda pollution? and $277k a year for lobbying? thats like, totally too much power in the hands of these billionaires 
if we just taxed their wealth or banned them from lobbying i think things would be way better for everyone else... but no one ever listens to people like me who are already struggling 
like, 4k times worse than everyone else? 
its like they're driving SUVs while we're just walking with tomatoes in our hands 
ugh its so unfair. and they're not even hiding their lobby $$$ anymore its like they want to make the world a hotter place 
. And $277,000 per year for lobbying is a pretty small price to pay if it means creating jobs and economic growth 
. What Oxfam needs to do is find ways to help the rich people reduce their carbon footprint without hurting the economy 
.
4k times more CO2 than the poorest people in the world is straight up insane! and its not just consumption, their investments and lobbying efforts too 
the fact that they spend $277k per year on anti-climate lobbying is wild 
we need to get our act together and start taxing their extreme wealth and banning their lobbying efforts ASAP! 
. It's not fair and it's not right that these billionaires and multimillionaires are having such a massive impact on climate change. I think we need to do something about it, like taxing their extreme wealth or banning lobbying efforts. The richest 1% already have way too much power and influence over climate policy. We can't just keep letting them dictate the conversation without holding them accountable 
come on guys, it's not like we didn't see this coming... I mean, have you seen those numbers? 4k times more CO2 per day than the poorest 10% of the global population? It's just plain crazy! 
and yeah, Oxfam is right on the money with their suggestions - taxing extreme wealth and banning lobbying efforts would be a great start. But let's not forget, it's not just about the super-rich, it's also about corporations and governments being held accountable for their actions. 
I mean, have you seen those stats on carbon emissions per day? Like, 82 grams from Somalia and 2.2 tonnes from the richest Americans?