Don't Choose Extinction - UNDP | United Nations | Jack Black | Climate Action

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Published 2021-10-27
The world spends an astounding US$423 billion annually to subsidize fossil fuels for consumers – oil, electricity that is generated by the burning of other fossil fuels, gas, and coal. This is four times the amount being called for to help poor countries tackle the climate crisis, one of the sticking points ahead of the COP26 global climate conference next week, according to new UN Development Programme (UNDP) research.

The amount spent directly on these subsidies could pay for COVID-19 vaccinations for every person in the world, or pay for three times the annual amount needed to eradicate global extreme poverty. When indirect costs, including costs to the environment, are factored into these subsidies, the figure rises to almost US$6 trillion, according to data published recently by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Instead, UNDP’s analysis highlights that these funds, paid for by taxpayers, end up deepening inequality and impeding action on climate change.

The main contributor to the climate emergency is the energy sector which accounts for 73 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel subsidy reforms would contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and benefit human health and well-being, and they are a first step towards correctly pricing energy – one that reflects the ‘true’ and full cost of using fossil fuels to society and the environment.

But UNDP’s analysis shows that fossil fuel subsidy reforms can also be unfair and harmful for households and society if they are poorly designed. While fossil fuel subsidies tend to be an unequalising tool - as the lion’s share of the benefits concentrate among the rich - these subsidies also represent an important portion of poor peoples’ incomes that otherwise must be paid for energy consumption. Fossil fuel subsidies’ removal thus could easily become an income- and energy-impoverishing strategy. This contributes to making fossil fuels reform difficult, and imposes a key barrier to transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources.

The Don’t Choose Extinction campaign features a collective intelligence platform, the Global Mindpool, to help tackle the most important issues of our time. Linking insights from around the world - on the climate emergency, the crisis in nature and inequality – the Global Mindpool will support UNDP to better inform and equip policy makers in government, civil society, and the private sector.

For more information on the ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign, visit www.dontchooseextinction.com

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

Produced by The ‪@UNDP‬ with the voice of Jack Black.

For more languages visit: youtube.com/c/UNDP

All Comments (21)
  • @Mihilez
    This is the UN. Everybody stands and claps. And still nobody votes "in favor".
  • @joemama.556
    its nice to see Mark Zukerberg finally being confortable with showing his natural form in public
  • I just want to say how brave it was of the United Nations to leave the comments open on this video.
  • @truesonic669
    I would vote for this guy. The government doesn’t want people like this.
  • Don’t worry, the UN will send a strongly worded letter to fix everything.
  • @suekung07
    I’ve never seen a reptilian care about humanity this much until now.
  • @ujjwal2473
    Its the UN officials who need to watch this and not us.
  • @MaseMounty
    Casually dinosaur comes to headquarters of UN and gives a speech like pro🗿
  • @sparrowscratch
    Jacks not only voicing Bowser, but he’s now also voicing Yoshi!
  • @gustave9249
    All jokes aside , This dinosaur is actually making more sense than most of the world leaders today
  • @brahmosii6969
    After this speech , and the round of applause, within 3 seconds , Turkey went back to claiming Cyprus , Pakistan went back to claiming Kashmir Russia went back to start annexing And 69 more engaged in constant battle as before
  • @prasanth2601
    I can imagine owen smiling at the corner like a proud father.
  • UN: “Climate change is a bad thing.” Everyone: “So what is your plan to do something about it?” UN: “Wait, WE have to do something?” Edit: Thanks to everyone commenting on this obvious joke and boosting the algorithm. These likes wouldn’t have been possible without you.
  • @willie4445
    the sad part is that the united nations most likely used up more money on this film than all of it’s efforts to help reduce climate change combined
  • I was literally thinking about choosing extinction, but then this video changed my mind! Thanks guys!
  • @howlerbrine
    Jack Black, dinosaurs and the United Nations are three things I never thought of seeing in my recommend at the same time, let alone the same video
  • @ramcoyannix8861
    Is this a possible spoiler for the ending of upcoming Jurassic World movie?
  • @TheTurdle
    One of Bowser's most iconic speeches.
  • @hidden7686
    We needed this video literally straight to the point.