At What Expense?

As I wrote yesterday, the decisions undertaken under the UNFCCC do not operate in a vacuum, and reflect the power disparities between the north and the south. We see that happening again in the last hours of Lima as a weak decision is close to being accepted, which will not set a solid foundation for a strong Paris agreement equipped to effectively address climate change.

Most strikingly, we can see that Loss and Damage has been taken out, which absolves developed nations of their responsibility to help vulnerable populations recover from damages that they did nothing to cause.

In addition, there is no clear provision of finance and other forms of support being offered to developing nations so that they can cut their emissions and pursue a low carbon development path, while also adapting to the devastating effects of climate change.

If we observe the positions countries took at this morning’s session, it becomes crystal clear whose interests are primarily being served. Almost all developed nations such as the US, Australia, EU, New Zealand and Japan have come out in support of the new text that is being considered.

On the other hand, many least developed countries and island nations such as Tuvalu, Nigeria, and Pakistan have expressed strong disappointment at the lack of ambition and exclusion of critical issues of Loss and Damage, support, and consideration of different circumstances that countries face.

Just a week ago, Typhoon Hagupit ravaged the Philippines. Because of the scars from Haiyan last year, the preparation was better and the death toll was smaller. But over a million people were evacuated, and thousands of livelihoods were still destroyed.

This keeps happening, and even more sadly, will continue to intensify because of the lags in the climate system and our failure to curb emissions rapidly. We have already condemned millions to a future they have done nothing to deserve. The least we can do is make a commitment to stand with them and support them however possible.

I have argued before that climate change is the worst form of oppression that the world has ever seen. When I speak with frontline communities affected most by climate disruption, I often find that the people, without a clear understanding of climate change, are crippled by a sense of deep disempowerment, blaming the Almighty for turning His back on them.

Because of the cause-and-effect separation inherent in climate change, the oppressors get to feel less culpable for the damage they cause, while the affected fail to muster significant agency to challenge their oppressors in a way that allows them to mobilize adequately and exert and establish their rights.

But now that we are nearing the closing window of action, the lines between the oppressed and the oppressors are starting to get blurred, as developed economies realize that even they are vulnerable. For example, the Pentagon lists climate change as the single greatest security threat.

Yet, the powers that be continue to try their hardest to hold onto their dominance, and reach a global agreement without offering their fair share. What they must realize, and soon, is that this will not work.

Climate change is a collective action problem, and because of our decades of inaction, everyone needs to put forward their fair shares and then some. If we fail to, we will bring devastation. If we somehow succeed, we all benefit from a more peaceful world.

Next year’s Paris conference represents an unprecedented opportunity to make progress towards this realization. In Lima, unfortunately, we have not seen it happen in the way we needed. I hope all nations will reflect on the failure of Lima to stand up to expectations, and re-evaluate what price is too much to pay to hold on to narrow self-interests.