The average carbon footprint of the richest 1% of the world's population maybe 175 times that of the poorest 10%. If everyone does not adjust their lifestyles as soon as possible, the poor and future generations will pay the price.

London, UK (Merxwire) - The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) gathered leaders from more than 130 countries around the world. After nearly two weeks of lengthy negotiations, it finally came to an end. Whether the result is good or bad, it makes the world pay more attention to net-zero emissions of environmental carbon. According to the "BBC" report, the global carbon emissions in 2030 were originally estimated to be 52.4 billion tons. The COP26 final agreement requires countries to raise their carbon reduction targets, which are estimated to be reduced to 41.9 billion tons. However, there is still some distance to the ideal target of heating within 1.5 degrees.

Experts predict that the global temperature should rise to 2.7 degrees this century, and it will affect climate change, including drought, heatwaves, and extremely heavy rainfall, with disastrous consequences. As long as everyone saves energy and protects the environment, we can reduce our carbon footprint and save the planet from heating up. But the master of this battle will not be us at all, but the wealthy people at the top of the pyramid. According to a research report by Oxfam International, an international non-governmental organization, the average carbon footprint of the world's richest 1% of the population maybe 175 times that of the poorest 10%. It can be seen that the gap between the rich and the poor is not only present in money but also in the destruction of the environment. And the author of the research report, Tim Gore, said: "The over-consumption of the wealthy class with a small population contributes to the climate crisis, but it is the poor people and the next generation who pay the price for this."

What exactly is a carbon footprint? According to Wikipedia, Carbon Footprint refers to the total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas caused by individuals, events, organizations, services or products, and is used to measure the impact of human activities on the ecological environment. It means that everyone will have a carbon footprint, whether it is breathing, eating, traveling, or daily life, and the more things you have and the more times you travel by plane, the more fossil fuels it burns, which is relatively generated. The carbon footprint also increases.

A recent Cambridge University research report pointed out that the richest group of people in the world are often referred to as Polluter Elite. They have an extravagant lifestyle with a high carbon footprint and invest heavily in chemical fuels. Oxfam believes that it is unfair that rich countries have higher emissions than poor countries. Because in the process of phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy, it is necessary to use carbon emissions as much as possible to improve the lives of the poor.

The issue of global warming is like a boomerang. What you throw is what you receive. What can we do in the face of deteriorating climate conditions? It's very simple. Start with the little things around you and me. The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom conducted a carbon footprint study on food and found that even a simple sandwich breakfast would have a carbon footprint equivalent to 8.6 million car emissions in a year, not to mention complicated materials and higher manpower and material resources. What about other dishes?

Experts suggest that people can start from their daily lives and take "carbon responsibility" for their carbon footprint. For example, choosing local ingredients, reducing disposable packaging, and not buying too many or unnecessary items can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. The method is simple, as long as they are willing to start, everyone can contribute to the earth's environment.