Will Rich Nations Pay Reparations to Developing Countries for Extreme Weather?
Nations suffering from climate change-induced disasters, including some that have displaced people from their homes, are asking for more than the annual $100 billion allotted as "climate change mitigation measures" by the United Nations.
An aerial view of Bangladesh shows the impact of flooding on arable land. (Richard P J Lambert via Flickr)
Nations suffering from climate change-induced disasters, including some that have displaced people from their homes, are asking for more than the annual $100 billion allotted as “climate change mitigation measures” by the United Nations.
From USA Today:
The rationale for the additional funds and refugee facility is based on donor country failures to follow through cohesively on aid pledges following weather-related disasters. For example, last March, Cyclone Pam devastated islands in the South Pacific but attention quickly turned to the massive earthquake in Nepal soon thereafter. That left small nations such as Vanuatu, which was devastated, to manage its own cleanup without much in the way of international assistance.
Poorer nations blame extreme weather-related disasters on climate change stemming from emission-polluting countries that have more developed and wealthier economies.
The U.N. Paris conference aims to reach an international, legally biding agreement on climate change that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thwart global temperature rise. A separate agreement is being eyed to address losses and damages from extreme weather events, thought to be a result of climate change.
—Posted by Natasha Hakimi Zapata
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