IMHO, I do not think any one would say “I don’t care once I’m gone.” It’s about taking responsibility for our failed actions in the past and doing what’s correct for our future generations that also includes our children.
The problem is for centuries we never cared. We burnt fossil fuels as if there was no tomorrow - mainly the advanced / industrialised economies as they had an advantage (right or wrong) by power, economics and environment. The rest were irrelevant for centuries. Now, the so-called economically disadvantaged by industrial development are growing, prioritising, burning more, citing it is our time and committing to limit the damage in a limited way.
These guys stating the fact. The good was our past actions did not impact them economically, demographically and environmentally; the bad was we were postponing the inevitable; the ugly was the situation is dire and the current emissions rates are going to worsen the dire circumstances!
The contribution, the responsibility and the efforts to address net zero aren’t going to emanate on an equal basis from all quarters. Some countries, where the UK is a champion and is leading the initiatives, are going to commiting carbon emissions that will still fall short of the Paris agreement. The growing economies are going to emit more and not contributing sufficiently to make a difference. The net effect is we are unlikely to meet the Paris agreement.
The effects are seen all over the world. We are seeing boroughs in the UK - Midlands, Cornwall, … are flooded for the first time in 60-70 years. Forest fires are a regular feature. Hurricanes have been increasingly making a category 5 — maximum disaster — landfall in the last 15 years.
Unfortunately, we are staring at economic meltdowns for the people. How do we make them a little comfortable than what we see in the UK for an example? People can’t meet their ends; the current measures, inflation, utility prices, etc. are going to exacerbate their living conditions. We can’t ignore these economic hardships.
We need to strike a balance. Prioritise, focus on fixes that require top attention and see what can be done to address the climate change! 😊
My daughter sums it up nicely “thanks dad for screwing up our future” 😊