Ever wonder who’s really to blame for climate change?
Turns out, it’s not the average commuter or the family trying to stay warm in winter.
It’s the richest 10%. And they’re not just warming the planet—they’re scorching it.
New research published in Nature Climate Change shows that this elite group is behind a whopping two-thirds of global warming since 1990.
“We link the carbon footprints of the wealthiest individuals directly to real-world climate impacts,” said lead researcher Sarah Schoengart of ETH Zurich.
The private jets, mega-mansions, and carbon-heavy investments of the ultra-rich are fueling deadly heatwaves and droughts.
Who’s Most Responsible?
The top 1% are 26 times more responsible for extreme heat events than the global average.
And in carbon behemoths like China and the U.S., emissions from their richest citizens have tripled the risk of severe heat.
It’s not just about how they live—it’s where they put their money.
“Climate action that doesn’t address the outsized responsibilities of the wealthiest risks missing the biggest lever we have,” warned Carl-Friedrich Schleussner.
He is a senior author on the study.
Tax the billionaires?
Sure, it’s been floated—but like polar ice, those talks are melting fast.
