Editorial: Wealthy countries are responsible for climate change, but it’s the poor who will suffer most
Los Angeles timesSep 16, 2019
COP27 is expected to last beyond its Friday deadline and into the weekend as negotiations between rich and poor nations over a reparations fund remain undecided. The latest version of the framework released on Friday has been criticized for being lengthy, unclear, and vague.
The agreement doesn't provide or propose a solution to the controversial issue of "loss and damage." The framework would provide a financial arrangement aimed at compensating developing nations that are suffering from climate change impacts.
Climate change and the subsequent impacts are a global problem. The solution will undoubtedly have to be a global fix that requires every nation, rich and poor, to change its behaviors to mitigate risks. Will it be expensive? Absolutely. But the cost of inaction is greater in terms of the loss of life, the loss of tangible items, and the sustainability of humanity. The solution is something the entire international community should get behind.
Not only are the wealthy countries the cause of the worst impacts brought by climate change but they also refuse to support those that need it the most financially. The EU is putting more onus on India and China in this draft, with the intent of causing rifts among developing nations. The most impoverished countries have every right to be frustrated with these machinations and delays.
There is a 50% chance that the average global temperature in 2100 will be 2.54C higher than the average global temperature in 1880, according to the Metaculus prediction community.