Climate Change is no hoax. It has happened since the dawn of this world. However, today, politics has entered the fray with mass psychosis. The changes we see playing out are in reality due to both deforestation and extrodinary pollution driven by greed. I shall counter the view that climate change can be aided through carbon taxation.
The narrative that climate change can be mitigated through punitive carbon taxes alone is a reductionist and misleading approach. Politicians who promote it often disregard the deeper systemic causes of environmental degradation. Real education, along with structural shifts in behavior and policy, is the key to addressing climate change effectively.
One of the primary contributors to climate change is deforestation, responsible for releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere, turning forests from carbon sinks into carbon sources. Studies suggest that deforestation and forest degradation contribute between 12-20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Key drivers include agriculture, particularly the demand for crops like palm oil and soy, as well as cattle ranching. Tropical forests—historically critical in balancing atmospheric carbon—are now increasingly at risk, with parts of the Amazon emitting more carbon than they absorb.
The broader issue of environmental pollution is another pressing concern. Industrial processes, irresponsible waste management, and air pollution from fossil fuel combustion contribute to the destabilization of ecosystems and climate systems. These activities degrade soil quality, disrupt water cycles, and increase the frequency of extreme weather events.
Punitive taxes focus on financial disincentives but often disproportionately affect lower-income groups, creating a regressive burden without guaranteeing substantial ecological change. What we need is investment in education that raises awareness about sustainable practices, alongside policies that incentivize reforestation and cleaner production methods. For example, initiatives like REDD+ offer a more nuanced solution by financially rewarding countries and communities that engage in conservation and sustainable forest management.
I conclude by stating, meaningful climate action must transcend economic penalties. It requires systemic change—where individuals, communities, and industries take proactive steps to reduce deforestation, limit pollution, and transition to sustainable practices. Education can empower societies to adopt these changes in ways that are both effective and equitable.
The Gentile!
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