22nd November 2023
This week Christian Climate Action is embarking on its campaign to ask MPs to support the Loss and Damage Fund.
If you too want to participate you can find a template letter to send your MP on CCA’s web site – https://christianclimateaction.org/events/
Or via this link – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sa7QyhFFMC2mpobJJG0Z8G3XOErzz5b-_O9-glkC1V8/edit?usp=sharing
Why is this important?
The climate crisis is being felt across the world but the damage is inflicted unevenly. Some countries – often the poorest – are being hit harder. And perversely these are countries that have contributed least to the problem.
Malawi, for example, has been inflicted by intense tropical storms – most recently Cyclone Freddy with 200 deaths – flooding, mud slides, and droughts. But Malawi struggles to cover the cost of the damage as it is already heavily burden with foreign debt as it tries to improve the economy and living standards of its people.
The UK, which profited from early industrialisation, has emitted 78,500 million tonnes CO2e since the start of the Industrial Revolution, whilst Malawi has emitted a mere 52 million tonnes. The UK is a wealthy nation with GDP of $3,871,790 million, whilst Malawi has a GDP of only $37,900 million. (Populations are approx 68 million and 21 million respectively).
The injustice in this situation gave rise to the proposal at COP26 for a Loss and Damage Fund. This fund will use money supplied by the wealthy – those who caused the CO2 pollution – to pay for the damage being suffered by the most vulnerable. In the two years since then committees have been working out the details of the scheme. Once finalised this is to be ratified at the forthcoming COP28.
Of current concern is whether the UK government will continue to a) support the introduction of the Loss and Damage Fund, and b) whether it will be willing to contribute its fair share.
The Green Tau 