Atmosphere Quote by Ottmar Edenhofer
“First of all, developed countries have basically expropriated the atmosphere of the world community. But one must say clearly that we redistribute de facto the world's wealth by climate policy. Obviously, the owners of coal and oil will not be enthusiastic about this. One has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with environmental policy anymore.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Climate Policy Forum, 2014
We often treat climate agreements as pure environmental measures, but they actually shift global wealth, favoring some and disadvantaging fossil‑fuel owners.
In simple terms: Climate policy is more about wealth redistribution than pure ecology.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the economic motives behind climate deals.
Themes
economics
politics
environment
wealth redistribution
policy
power
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
policy
When to use this quote
- International negotiations
- national legislation
- carbon pricing
- public opinion
- industry lobbying
Key Concepts
Political economy
environmental justice
global governance
energy markets
Questions to Reflect On
- How does wealth redistribution affect climate action?
- What ethical limits exist for using climate policy as an economic tool?
A Different Perspective
The view may underplay genuine ecological concerns.
