*World's richest 1% cause double CO2 emissions of poorest 50%, says Oxfam.*

However, I disagree with the recommendations. Instead of "using the carbon budget for the best," we must use as little of it as possible.

When we speak of the carbon budget, we are making an estimate of how much more emissions we can make before a certain level of disaster. We don't know exactly how much, and more emissions means a worse disaster. It is valid to say, "If we emit considerably more than the carbon budget, we will make life horrible." It is not valid to say, "If we emit a little less than the carbon budget, we will be ok."

If we could be certain, absolutely certain, that we had done enough to avoid disaster, perhaps at that point we could switch to the goal of helping the poor.

But since disaster is already starting, it is pretty clear we have already failed to do enough. So we must do the most we can.

*The climate crisis will sweep away my country if the world doesn't keep its promises.*

What we have to do for the people of many regions that are threatened — many of whom are among the poorest 50% — is cut emissions ASAP.