Global South: Difference between revisions
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= Injustice in the Global South is a climate justice issue = | |||
=Injustice in the Global South is a climate justice issue = | |||
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*According to a report by Oxfam, privileged lifestyles in the Global North produce a carbon footprint that is one hundred times larger than the Global South (Riaz, A., 2021). <ref>Riaz, A. (2021, September 29). Views from the Global South: How to decolonise the climate crisis. Euronews Green. https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/09/29/views-from-the-global-south-how-to-decolonise-the-climate-crisis</ref> | *According to a report by Oxfam, privileged lifestyles in the Global North produce a carbon footprint that is one hundred times larger than the Global South (Riaz, A., 2021). <ref>Riaz, A. (2021, September 29). Views from the Global South: How to decolonise the climate crisis. Euronews Green. https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/09/29/views-from-the-global-south-how-to-decolonise-the-climate-crisis</ref> | ||
*Ceecee Holz explains that wealthy, higher emission countries have fair shares that exceed their own emissions. In most cases, scale of International cooperation exceeds scale of domestic effort. | *Ceecee Holz explains that wealthy, higher emission countries have fair shares that exceed their own emissions. In most cases, scale of International cooperation exceeds scale of domestic effort. | ||
*The Global North for it's benefit alone extracts cheap labour, and resources, in the Global South. | *The Global North for it's benefit alone, extracts cheap labour, and resources, in the Global South. | ||
*Meena Raman: The Paris agreement holds our governments accountable at the International level. Nationally determined contributions can be measured against this. 'Net zero' is used to avoid International responsibility. Canada wants to continue fossil fuel production and expansion into 2050. This does not hold up to International responsibility. | *Meena Raman: The Paris agreement holds our governments accountable at the International level. Nationally determined contributions can be measured against this. 'Net zero' is used to avoid International responsibility. Canada wants to continue fossil fuel production and expansion into 2050. This does not hold up to International responsibility. | ||
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*The unequal distribution of the costs of climate change adds to the worsening of the wealth gap between the Global North and South. The high price of mitigation and adaptation loans further disadvantages the Global South, which is most affected by the climate crisis. They are accumulating climate debt for a crisis they didn't cause (Rice, J., 2009) <ref>Rice, J. (2009). North-south relations and the ecological debt: Asserting a counter-hegemonic discourse. Critical Sociology, 35(2), 225–252.</ref> <br> | *The unequal distribution of the costs of climate change adds to the worsening of the wealth gap between the Global North and South. The high price of mitigation and adaptation loans further disadvantages the Global South, which is most affected by the climate crisis. They are accumulating climate debt for a crisis they didn't cause (Rice, J., 2009) <ref>Rice, J. (2009). North-south relations and the ecological debt: Asserting a counter-hegemonic discourse. Critical Sociology, 35(2), 225–252.</ref> <br> | ||
*Ceecee Holz explains countries most highly dependent on extraction will need most time to phaseout extraction (Iraq, South Sudan, Congo). Wealthier, less dependent countries will need to phase out faster (US, Canada, UK, Norway). Extraction should be reduced fastest where doing so will have the least social costs. How mch capacity does a country have to overcome fossil fuel extraction phase out? | *Ceecee Holz explains countries most highly dependent on extraction will need most time to phaseout extraction (Iraq, South Sudan, Congo). Wealthier, less dependent countries will need to phase out faster (US, Canada, UK, Norway). Extraction should be reduced fastest where doing so will have the least social costs. How mch capacity does a country have to overcome fossil fuel extraction phase out? | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217);" | '''4) Companies from the Global North due their dirty business in the Global South''' | |||
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*More than half of all mining activity in Latin America is connected to a private Canadian entity. <ref>https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/how-canadas-growing-presence-in-latin-america-is-hurting-the-environment/</ref> | |||
*For example, the East Africa crude oil pipeline was funded by RBC between 2016-2020. <ref>https://stand.earth/resources/east-africa-crude-oil-pipeline-fueled-by-rbc/</ref> | |||
*Companies such as Apple, Google and Tesla fund highly exploitative cobalt mining in Congo (see the below table for more details). <ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/05/tech/big-tech-child-labor-congo-lawsuit/index.html#:~:text=Business%20%2F%20Tech-,Federal%20appeals%20court%20throws%20out%20lawsuit%20against%20Apple%2C%20Google%2C%20Tesla,alleged%20child%20labor%20in%20Congo&text=Big%20tech%20firms%20such%20as,the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo.</ref> | |||
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===Examples around the world=== | ===Examples around the world=== | ||
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*The Global South are commodity producers, selling at very low prices which are determined by New York and other stock exchanges. When prices go down, we go into a debt crisis, and the IMF and World Banks offer more loans to increase our debt. | *The Global South are commodity producers, selling at very low prices which are determined by New York and other stock exchanges. When prices go down, we go into a debt crisis, and the IMF and World Banks offer more loans to increase our debt. | ||
<p>Meena also pointed out that marginalized communities in rich and powerful countries, such as Indigenous communities in North America, also suffer from these systems. See MAPA (most affected people and areas) for more.</p> | <p>Meena also pointed out that marginalized communities in rich and powerful countries, such as Indigenous communities in North America, also suffer from these systems. See MAPA (most affected people and areas) for more.</p> | ||
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| <p>'''Evelyn Acham in Uganda on the 'Dash for Gas' <ref>https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/02/dash-for-gas-europes-cost-of-living-crisis-shouldnt-cause-an-environmental-disaster-in-afr#:~:text=By%20Evelyn%20Acham&text=Europe's%20response%20to%20the%20energy,in%20both%20Africa%20and%20Europe</ref> <sup class="reference"></sup>'''</p><p>'''<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"></sup>'''</p><p>'''<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"></sup>'''</p> | | <p>'''Evelyn Acham in Uganda on the 'Dash for Gas' <ref>https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/02/dash-for-gas-europes-cost-of-living-crisis-shouldnt-cause-an-environmental-disaster-in-afr#:~:text=By%20Evelyn%20Acham&text=Europe's%20response%20to%20the%20energy,in%20both%20Africa%20and%20Europe</ref> <sup class="reference"></sup>'''</p><p>'''<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"></sup>'''</p><p>'''<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"></sup>'''</p> | ||
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*European leaders have announced deals to increase gas production and exports with Egypt, Senegal, Angola and Republic of Congo. | *European leaders have announced deals to increase gas production and exports with Egypt, Senegal, Angola and Republic of Congo. | ||
*Oil and gas extraction and export undermines existing commitments to keep temperatures to 1.5°C and to phase out international finance for oil and gas, which was promised in Glasgow at COP26. | *Oil and gas extraction and export undermines existing commitments to keep temperatures to 1.5°C and to phase out international finance for oil and gas, which was promised in Glasgow at COP26. | ||
*"It also risks undermining African development, saddling countries with debts for export-oriented gas production for which there will be fewer and fewer customers as demand drops, leaving African people on the hook to cover the costs of these stranded assets." -Evelyn Acham | *"It also risks undermining African development, saddling countries with debts for export-oriented gas production for which there will be fewer and fewer customers as demand drops, leaving African people on the hook to cover the costs of these stranded assets." -Evelyn Acham<ref>https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/02/dash-for-gas-europes-cost-of-living-crisis-shouldnt-cause-an-environmental-disaster-in-afr#:~:text=By%20Evelyn%20Acham&text=Europe's%20response%20to%20the%20energy,in%20both%20Africa%20and%20Europe</ref> | ||
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| <p>'''Friends of the Congo <ref>https://friendsofthecongo.org/climate-change/#:~:text=For%20centuries%20now%2C%20Congo%20has%20endured%20environmental%20racism.&text=With%20the%20recent%20discovery%20of,the%20oppressive%20and%20extractive%20systems</ref> '''</p>'''<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"></sup> and Victoria Audu <ref>https://republic.com.ng/october-november-2023/congo-cobalt-genocide/</ref> | | <p>'''Friends of the Congo <ref>https://friendsofthecongo.org/climate-change/#:~:text=For%20centuries%20now%2C%20Congo%20has%20endured%20environmental%20racism.&text=With%20the%20recent%20discovery%20of,the%20oppressive%20and%20extractive%20systems</ref> '''</p>'''<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"></sup> and Victoria Audu <ref>https://republic.com.ng/october-november-2023/congo-cobalt-genocide/</ref> |
Latest revision as of 21:17, 9 May 2024
Global South "functions as more than a metaphor for underdevelopment. It references an entire history of colonialism, neo-imperialism, and differential economic and social change through which large inequalities in living standard, life expectancy, and access to resources are maintained." -Dados and Connell (2012) [1] .
Note that an alternative to the term 'Global South' is MAPA (most affected people and areas). See our definitions page on MAPA for more.
The knowledge shared on this page comes from:
1) The collaborative 'Fair Shares' webinar by the HUB and the Climate Emergency Unit held on October 11th.
This event featured:
Anjali Appadurai (she/her): Climate justice organizer and communicator. Worked at the UN Climate convention to ensure social movements demands were heard in halls of power. Runs the Padma centre for climate justice, a project that brings together diasporic communities to build power around issues of climate and economic justice. She works as the Campaign Director at the Climate Emergency Unit. |
Meena Raman (she/her): Head of Programmes of Third World Network (TWN), coordinating programming and supporting intergovernmental climate negotiations. President of Friends of the Earth (FOE) Malaysia and member of FOE International. Legal adviser to the Consumers' Association of Penang. Founded the first public interest law firm in Malaysia. |
Ceecee Holz (they/them): Senior research at the Climate Equity Reference Project and Executive Director of the Climate Equity Reference Project Canada. Affiliated researcher at Stockholm Environment Institute, and teaches a course at Carlton U for their Masters' specialization in climate change. Their studies focus is on International and Canadian climate change policies, focused on the role of equity and fairness as enablers of action. They served as the executive director for Climate Action Network Canada. Has been involved with Climate Action Network International's advocacy work at UN climate change negotiations for over a decade. |
2) Additional sources compiled by Bryan Giroux and Kenzie Harris.
Injustice in the Global South is a climate justice issue
1) Historical emissions and responsibility: Wealthy nations caused and perpetuate the climate crisis by exploiting the resources, lands and labor of the Global South |
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2) Right to human development |
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3) Differing capabilities and capacities: The Global North disproportionately caused the climate and debt crisis, yet, the Global South bear the greatest burden |
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4) Companies from the Global North due their dirty business in the Global South |
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Examples around the world
Meena Raman in Malaysia |
(Paraphrased)
Meena also pointed out that marginalized communities in rich and powerful countries, such as Indigenous communities in North America, also suffer from these systems. See MAPA (most affected people and areas) for more. |
Evelyn Acham in Uganda on the 'Dash for Gas' [12]
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Friends of the Congo [14] and Victoria Audu [15] |
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What does 'fair share' mean? |
Anjali Appadurai explains:
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How we divide fairly depends on... |
1) Historical emissions and responsibility (considering inequities created by colonialism, enslavement) 2) Right to human development (bring people out of poverty, get people educated, safe and health) 3) Differing capabilities and capacities (based on who benefited from colonialism, enslavement) |
Why do our fair share? |
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What is Canada's fair share? |
How do we reduce more than 100%?
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Anjali Appadurai shared that our role is to:
- Expose the pretence, duplicity and hypocrisy of policymakers who undermine fairness
- Push governments for transparency and courage on meeting climate obligations
- Show our governments that climate finance and fossil fuel phase out are important to us and we will vote accordingly
To stay connected to work on fighting for fair shares in Canada, visit: https://www.climateemergencyunit.ca/fairshares
If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.
![](/images/d/d6/Creative_commons.png)
- ↑ Dados, Nour and Raewyn Connell. 2012. “The Global South.” Context 11(1): 12-13.
- ↑ Estermann, J. (2014). Colonialidad, descolonización e interculturalidad. Polis Revista Latinoamericana, 38. http://journals.openedition.org/polis/10164
- ↑ Migration to Asia Peace. (2022, September 23). 2022 Statement for Climate Justice by the Global South. https://mapcast.org/2022-statement-for-climate-justice-by-the-global-south/?ckattempt=2
- ↑ Riaz, A. (2021, September 29). Views from the Global South: How to decolonise the climate crisis. Euronews Green. https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/09/29/views-from-the-global-south-how-to-decolonise-the-climate-crisis
- ↑ Gonzalez, C. (2015). Environmental Justice, Human Rights, and the Global South. SANTA CLARA J. INT’L L. 13, pp. 151–195. https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1631&context=faculty
- ↑ Estermann, J. (2014). Colonialidad, descolonización e interculturalidad. Polis Revista Latinoamericana, 38. http://journals.openedition.org/polis/10164
- ↑ Migration to Asia Peace. (2022, September 23). 2022 Statement for Climate Justice by the Global South. https://mapcast.org/2022-statement-for-climate-justice-by-the-global-south/?ckattempt=2
- ↑ Rice, J. (2009). North-south relations and the ecological debt: Asserting a counter-hegemonic discourse. Critical Sociology, 35(2), 225–252.
- ↑ https://news.mongabay.com/2023/09/how-canadas-growing-presence-in-latin-america-is-hurting-the-environment/
- ↑ https://stand.earth/resources/east-africa-crude-oil-pipeline-fueled-by-rbc/
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/05/tech/big-tech-child-labor-congo-lawsuit/index.html#:~:text=Business%20%2F%20Tech-,Federal%20appeals%20court%20throws%20out%20lawsuit%20against%20Apple%2C%20Google%2C%20Tesla,alleged%20child%20labor%20in%20Congo&text=Big%20tech%20firms%20such%20as,the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo.
- ↑ https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/02/dash-for-gas-europes-cost-of-living-crisis-shouldnt-cause-an-environmental-disaster-in-afr#:~:text=By%20Evelyn%20Acham&text=Europe's%20response%20to%20the%20energy,in%20both%20Africa%20and%20Europe
- ↑ https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/02/dash-for-gas-europes-cost-of-living-crisis-shouldnt-cause-an-environmental-disaster-in-afr#:~:text=By%20Evelyn%20Acham&text=Europe's%20response%20to%20the%20energy,in%20both%20Africa%20and%20Europe
- ↑ https://friendsofthecongo.org/climate-change/#:~:text=For%20centuries%20now%2C%20Congo%20has%20endured%20environmental%20racism.&text=With%20the%20recent%20discovery%20of,the%20oppressive%20and%20extractive%20systems
- ↑ https://republic.com.ng/october-november-2023/congo-cobalt-genocide/