Climate change is not a natural disaster. It is the result of decisions, practices and policies adopted and maintained by a relatively small number of actors, primarily for their own interests. Its consequences, however, are global and have the most significant impact in places and on communities that bear the least responsibility for creating the crisis.
Climate change is embedded in the history of colonialism and capitalism. It is important to reflect on this history in order to better understand the emergence and promotion of the carbon market. Without such context, issues risk being addressed technocratically rather than with justice and equity as the essential framing.
This article by SOMO is part of the series “Facing the facts: carbon offsets unmasked”, which debunks eight myths promoted by the offset industry.
Read the full article here (available in English and Dutch only).