Is climate change making inequality worse? | LSE Future Proof

Climate change represents an existential threat that extends beyond environmental shifts to become a crisis of social inequality and public health. Vulnerable populations, who contribute least to the problem, suffer the most severe health impacts, including respiratory failure and heat-related illnesses, while the wealthy utilize technology to insulate themselves. Proposed "techno-fixes" like geoengineering—specifically dimming the sun—risk catastrophic disruption to global ecosystems without addressing the underlying drivers of overconsumption. Current societal structures often mirror competitive, zero-sum games that prioritize short-term profit over the commons. However, these systems are not inevitable. By shifting focus from individual adaptation to collective, systemic change, society can move away from destructive models toward more equitable, sustainable ways of living together.