Andre Ferreira: Climate Change & the Inaction of the Effective Altruism Movement

No one knew what was happening. The sky darkened with smoke and it became too difficult to breathe. I look outside my window and a red tinge lay far on the horizon. Fear settles in the pit of my stomach as it looms closer and grows in size. I see houses burning in the distance and the approaching fire has left us no choice. My family must flee to survive.

This is but one story of all those who have suffered at the hands of the climate crisis the globe now faces.

“People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” These are the words of Greta Thunberg, teenage climate activist, urging immediate action from both political leaders and corporations to address the climate emergency that continues to worsen each year.

The effects of climate change pose a great threat not only to the planet and its ecosystems but to its inhabitants as well. The leading factor behind the earth’s changing climate are a result of anthropogenic causes: more specifically, the greenhouse gas emissions that we humans generate. Human-generated emissions have increased exponentially in recent decades and the primary sources of these greenhouse gases are the burning of fossil fuels for electricity and heat, as well as deforestation.

Many parts of the globe are already experiencing the effects of extreme climate change, from the hurricanes that wrecked New Jersey and Puerto Rico to the fires that burned across California and the Amazon. The worst of these examples are the deadly Australian wildfires that rage across the continent, destroying thousands of homes, blanketing urban cities in thick plumes of smoke, and killing over a billion animals. Although the fires have been a result of many causes, both natural and man-made, its effects have been multiplied as a result of climate change and global warming.

Despite the work of non-profit organizations to target the root causes of climate change, there are still those that deny the reality of our globe’s health despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that proves otherwise. As climate change continues to disproportionately affects communities of color and lower-income families, some groups underplay the consequences of climate change and its severity in affecting the lives of people and the ecosystem alike.

One of these organizations: Effective Altruism.

Effective Altruism is a movement that attempts to maximize the good it is able to accomplish, by attempting “to do as much good as possible with each dollar and each hour that [they] have.” In the eyes of effective altruists, climate change is not a very tractable issue, as there are more pressing concerns that they believe should be emphasized. They tend to focus on donating to charities that are able to promote international health and development with the hopes that it ensures a positive future for humankind.

The idea behind their philosophy is that their efforts and financial contributions would be more effective in saving people’s lives by tackling illnesses and impoverished conditions rather than focusing on long-term challenges.

Although EA is an extremely effective tool in drawing attention to pressing concerns that require attention, climate change is an issue that deserves more attention from groups such as these. The effects of climate change may not seem imminent, but many communities have been destroyed as a result of the changing climate and many lives have been lost as well. The short-term approach that the EA has adopted runs the detrimental risk of not paying enough attention to a growing concern that can quickly bring about the extinction of the human race. In not recognizing the legitimate concern that climate change poses, EA also risks losing credibility and alienating those who could have potentially been members or donors of EA.

If effective altruists were to begin focusing on tackling climate change as it does other global concerns, the organization would have the possibility of making positive change. Its members could help the fight against the climate emergency by working with non-governmental organizations and major energy companies to reduce emissions, helping with policy advocacy in neglected areas, etc. Dedicating financial efforts towards climate change could also contribute to the necessary funds required to improve technology that has the possibility to collectively resolve the consequences of climate change. These technological breakthroughs could also provide means in which decarbonizing industries are able to improve efficiency, lower global emission levels, and seek methods of producing energy without producing greenhouse gases.

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andreferreira@college.harvard.edu