A recent study, according to the expert, suggests that it is possible to raise $5.3 trillion from polluters and the rich who are exploiting the nature
Developed countries responsible for the worldwide climate crisis, especially in the Global South, should act seriously and pay in trillions to fight the raging issue, suggested an expert from Bangladesh.
“Of course, they must pay in trillions. We demand that the global north pay $5 trillion per annum under the Loss and Damage Fund, climate finance and all these,” said Sharif Jamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and Board Director of Waterkeeper Alliance.
He told these in an interview on November 14 while being interviewed during the ongoing edition of the UN climate summit, COP29, at Baku, Azerbaijan.
“We gathered here for COP29 in Azerbaijan. So, it’s been 29 COPs going on and we’ve talking of the same thing over and over again. And the Global South is on the verge of extinction now due to the climate crisis,” he said.
“Every day, one of the events is going on that is taking people’s lives and livelihood away. Gradually, that is taking away people from their villages, agricultural land and everything,” Jamil said.
But the Global South is not being compensated by Global North which is historically emitting for its prosperity and economic growth, he lamented.
On the contrary, he said, the US and its allies are actually blocking the process climate finance to be paid up.
“You know there was a pledge of $100 billion a year in climate finance, which is unmet yet and not fulfilled by the Global North. Now there is climate catastrophe hitting the Global south every day.”
Insisting on trillions in compensation, he said that the amount is nothing like fictitious about as it came from studies.
“During the COVID pandemic across the world, they raised $16 trillion. So, it’s possible (to manage trillions of dollars in damages),” he said.
A recent study, according to the expert, suggests that it is possible to raise $5.3 trillion from polluters and the rich who are exploiting the nature.
“We, of course, need to raise our voice together as the Global North comes forward and pay up for climate finance, and pay up $5 trillion,” Jamil said, warning that the Global North is not getting away from climate crisis.
“If they make delay (taking necessary measures and ensure mandatory funding to combat climate crisis), they will also be sufferers like in the Global South.”
So, they should feel the responsibility and act accordingly, he said, further demanding $5 trillion in climate finance.
“If they withdraw from COP, that won’t solve the problem. They can’t withdraw themselves from the planet. Will they start residing in the Moon or in the Mars? That’s not what they are going to do,” he said.
Referring to natural disasters in Georgia, North Carolina and Spain, he said, “See how people are dying, and looting each other.”
He insisted that the developed nations solve the climate crisis. “Or else, they will also be victimised tomorrow.
“We suffered yesterday and are suffering today – but they, too, will become sufferers tomorrow.”
He suggested that the developed countries come up honestly and sincerely while recognising their responsibilities.
“Otherwise, the Global South matters,” he warned.
“People are uniting. Now grassroots-level people are aware of climate crisis. It’s not yesterday. So, they (developed nations) must come forward one day,” Jamil concluded.
