Carbon Emissions: Symptom or Problem?

Climate change is now increasingly recognised across the world as a crisis that doesn’t discriminate in its destruction. It strongly impacts, directly and indirectly, most aspects necessary for living a well and dignified life. Along with this recognition comes an acceptance of the fact that we need to transition from what led to this crisis to another reality that will take us out of it. The mainstream narrative around this transition is based on the understanding that carbon emissions are our biggest problem and that if we can manage our emissions and achieve net zero, we will avert the crisis.

However, this narrative oversimplifies the issue, focusing on carbon emissions as the primary villain rather than recognising them as a symptom of deeper systemic flaws in our economic, political, and social structures. Carbon emissions are merely the visible manifestation of underlying problems rooted in our current systems' design and operation. To truly address climate change, we must look beyond emissions and tackle the foundational causes.

The Root Cause: System Design

The current systems driving our economies and societies are inherently extractive and unsustainable. These systems prioritise short-term gains and continuous growth, often at the expense of the environment and long-term well-being. The relentless pursuit of profit and expansion leads to overconsumption, resource depletion, and significant environmental degradation. Carbon emissions are a direct consequence of these unsustainable practices.

A deeper narrative suggests that transitioning to a low-carbon future must be non-extractive and just, requiring a fundamental reimagining and redesign of our dominant systems. This perspective argues that addressing carbon emissions alone is like treating the symptoms of a disease without addressing its cause. The focus should be on creating economic, political, and social systems that are sustainable and equitable, reducing the need for carbon-intensive activities in the first place.

The Case of the Sundarbans and Kolkata

Consider the example of the Sundarbans mangrove forests, which store approximately 4.15 crore tonnes of CO2, valued at a staggering US$ 79 billion in international carbon trading markets. While this carbon sequestration is significant, it is not sufficient to offset the emissions from Kolkata, the largest carbon-emitting city in India. Kolkata ranks fourth among the most vulnerable Asian cities to climate impacts and third among cities least prepared to adapt. This highlights a critical point: no amount of carbon sequestration will suffice if cities continue to emit unchecked and rely solely on offsetting emissions without reducing production and consumption.

This underscores the need for a systemic change that addresses the underlying issues in our economic, political, and social frameworks to achieve a truly sustainable and just transition. Reducing emissions must go hand-in-hand with broader changes in how we live, work, and organise our societies.

The Need for Systemic Change

To genuinely address climate change, we must re-evaluate our strategies and future directions across all sectors. This is a golden opportunity to collectively turn our wheels in the right direction. We must:

- Redesign Economic Systems: Shift from growth-centric models to sustainable, circular economies that minimise waste and resource use.

- Reform Political Frameworks: Implement policies that prioritise environmental sustainability and social equity, ensuring that all communities are resilient to climate impacts.

- Revamp Social Structures: Promote values of cooperation, community, and long-term well-being over individualism and short-term gains.

Carbon emissions are not the root problem but a symptom of the broader, systemic issues within our economic, political, and social structures. Focusing solely on emissions reduction without addressing these underlying causes will not lead to a sustainable future. By recognising and tackling the root causes, we can create a more just and resilient world that not only addresses climate change but also enhances the quality of life for all. This holistic approach is essential for a truly effective and enduring solution to the climate crisis.