inequalities – The Green Tau

Counting on … 173

27th October 2025

A good example of the link between high income consumers and high carbon footprints, is air travel. Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions (2) yet in anyone year only 5-10% of the world’s population boards a plane. And even within that minority who do fly, most of the flights are undertaken by an even smaller percentage of frequent flyers. In the UK (a country producing the third highest level of air flight emissions after the US and China) 70% of flights are taken by just 15% of the population. (1)

Does it have to be this way?

No – there are alternatives to air travel. Rail travel has a significantly smaller carbon footprint, and for travel within Europe and potentially across other continents, is practical mode of transport. However current investment plans and tax/ subsidy policies favour air travel over rail.

Government policies could start with the premise that the number of air flights needs to be reduced (or at the least kept at current levels). Shaping policies around that would include developing alternative modes of transport for people and goods, enabling manufactures to adapt to different transport network, encouraging different models of tourism.

For information on flight free travel – https://flightfree.co.uk/

Counting on … day 142

12th September 2025

The inequalities exposed by the climate crisis are also feeding growing health inequalities. And health inequalities increase wealth inequalities.

“A new [2023] report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal[ed] that the health impacts of climate change will be disproportionately felt by disadvantaged communities, significantly exacerbating existing health inequalities. The findings show that vulnerable groups – including people with disabilities, homeless populations, and those in deprived areas – will bear the brunt of extreme weather like heat waves and floods, which are becoming more common due to greenhouse gas emissions. This amplifies existing disparities, where those in poverty already have lower life expectancy.” (1)

The report does highlight that prompt intervention to tackle the issues of the climate crisis could simultaneously improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable. For example

* insulating homes addresses climate change by reducing carbon emissions whilst at the same time providing healthier homes because they will be both warmer and less prone to mould.

transitioning to smaller, electric vehicles – with an increase on good public transport – reduces both carbon emissions and air pollution so improving health outcomes.
if more journeys switched from cars to cycles, the improvements in health would be significant.
If more trees were planted and green spaces secured, more carbon emissions would be absorbed and more rainfall would be absorbed, whilst improving the mental and physical health of nearby residents and workers
Transitioning to a largely plant based diet, would reduce carbon emissions from livestock farming and release land for rewilding, and at the same time improve healthy eating.

https://raceequalityfoundation.org.uk/news/new-public-health-report-shows-climate-crisis-will-drastically-worsen-health-inequalities/

Counting on … day 141

11th September 2025

The inequalities around wealth and income mean that poorer people tend to live in areas with limited access to green spaces – which are beneficial for health and wellbeing as well for cooler ambient temperatures and absorbing rain – and are less likely to live in those tree-lined streets which similarly alleviate high temperatures and the risks of flooding.

For more information –

https://www.health.org.uk/evidence-hub/our-surroundings/green-space/inequalities-in-access-to-green-space

https://groups.friendsoftheearth.uk/resources/council-climate-action-nature

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/benefits-of-urban-trees/

Counting on … day 140

10th September 2025

The inequalities around the wealth/ income and the climate crisis around that mean the poorest are more significant impacted by adverse weather conditions.

People with low incomes/ wealth cannot afford to install double glazing or home insulation so when temperatures are uncomfortably hot or cold, they cannot protect themselves. Many live in small badly designed homes that do not allow for a through flow of air during hot weather and equally may have large glass windows allowing in excessive amounts of heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Often these properties may be rented meaning that occupants have to rely on landlords to instal climate adaptions – and then still incur the – possibly unaffordable – costs through increased rents and service charges.

People with low incomes/ wealth cannot afford the upfront capital cost of installing energy – and therefore cost-saving – systems such as heat pumps and solar panels, again meaning that they are continually disadvantaged.

Counting on … day 139

9th September 2025

Inequalities vis a vis climate change (and many other issues) also exist between the individual and the company or industry.

It is well known that it is the emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that is causing climate change. To avoid the worsening of this crisis the obvious thing to do would be to stop producing and using the oil and gas that create this pollutant. Yet however much individuals may wish – and petition and campaign – to see that happen (wishing that the economy would transition to one based on renewable energy sources and plastic alternatives) it is the fossil fuel and plastics companies and industries that get the ear of government ministers.

“UK government ministers met with representatives from the oil and gas sector at least 343 times in 2023, according to Global Witness analysis of data collected by Transparency International UK.” (1) This equates to an average of 1.4 meetings per day. At the same time 10 of the UK’s most prominent climate and social justice organisations met with ministers only 33 times (2)