Why Per Capita Pride needs to go

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Scientists have issued a fresh set of warnings about the climate crisis. And if the past is any indicator, then we can expect a fresh set of reminders on social media about how small India's per capita carbon emissions are, in comparison to the developed world.

(Never mind that there is no real discussion about carbon taxation outside of academic circles.)

(Never mind that it is the same west that we want climate finance and climate solutions to come from.)

(Never mind that the million others still thinking of their next meal do not feature in discussions of our development goals. They only exist to rescue us from the shame of our climate inaction.)

As a student of climate science, I could try to explain the freshly issued scientific warnings, but it would undoubtedly be in vain before I clarify some important things.

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1. The per capita emission is not an indicator of India's commitment to solving the climate crisis. It is an indicator of India's historical inability to solve its population crisis.

The large population in any per capita statistic is enough to acquit India in most global comparisons. If the New India of soon-to-be 2020 was committed to solving the climate crisis, it would be indicated not in this one single parameter that depends on its large population, but on the overall ecosystem of climate action. When a country is truly focused on solving the climate crisis, it reflects in the presence of informed leaders, sound policies and a motivated public. Since historical parameters are important, India should look not just at historical emissions but also at historical population growth.


Before you point out that a majority of India's population actually does not contribute significantly to carbon emissions...

2. The per capita emission is not an indicator of India's focus on equity. It is an indicator of our inclination to cherry-pick only those scales where the concept of equity benefits us.

India expects the West to be more concerned with its rural development than the average urban Indian is. Several Indian cities offer lavish lifestyles with carbon footprints comparable to those of cities in developed nations. Equity as a concept takes central importance in the blame-game, but the importance seems to evaporate during any serious analysis. Urban India, which enjoys the fruits of greater education and employment opportunities than Rural India, is more concerned with hiding behind convenient metrics and justifying climate inaction than helping solve the crisis.

Suggested reading: India's emission capitals

3. The per capita emission is not an indicator of India's commitment to climate justice. It is an indicator of our inability to put our national losses above our national ego.

The climate conversation sees a boom every time someone questions India's efforts. The IPCC's reports are casually rejected as India doesn't believe the experts are really informed. International experts and activists are labelled anti-development and anti-India; national experts and activists are simply ignored. The propaganda machinery has reduced the global crisis to an India-centric conspiracy to curb development. This unique combination of ignorance and arrogance distracts the nation from all the solutions expert bodies have already proposed, but which land on our deaf ears. 

Suggested reading: Greta Thunberg speeches. Try searching the page for "rich" or "India".

4. The per capita emission is not an indicator of India's commitment to development. It is an indicator of our inability to factor in climate damages in our illusions of development.

While we struggle to understand that the climate crisis does not care for our moral high ground, India suffers from the highest social cost of carbon in the world. That means that for every ton of carbon emitted from anywhere in the world, India stands to lose the most. Every year spent in delaying climate action, whether on international or on national fronts, leads to more economic damages (to say nothing of lives ruined or lost). We steadfastly hold on to the sacred buzz-phrase of "common but differentiated responsibilities". What about "similar but with vastly different levels of damages"?

 Suggested reading: Climate change is a global injustice. A new study shows why.
Also: India lost $79.5 billion due to climate-related disasters in last 20 years: UN.

5. The obsession with the per capita emission is not an indicator of India's climate awareness. It is an indicator of the gullibility of the masses to fall for climate propaganda that justifies inaction (or under-action).

Yes, the developed nations certainly must be held accountable. But with our wardrobes Made in China, our vacations Made in Europe and our ambitions Made in USA, how exactly are we helping towards this cause? The cause of international diplomacy and negotiations must be left to the experts.  There is enough for everybody else to do.

When the educated leaders and urban youth are better prepared with defensive retaliations than an understanding of the climate crisis, one can only hope our 33 million Gods will save us.




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Points to ponder:
  1. Does your state have a State Action Plan on Climate Change?
  2. What is the per capita footprint for your city?
  3. Lastly, since this stuff is popular..


(Am I using this right? 👀)


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