Climate change is not directly responsible for conflict, disease, or toxic warfare. However, it significantly contributes to conditions that can lead to war and the displacement of millions of people worldwide. The consequences of climate change manifest through extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, which can devastate communities and disrupt livelihoods. As resources become scarcer due to these environmental changes, competition for essentials like water and arable land may intensify, increasing the likelihood of conflict.
Furthermore, climate-related disasters can exacerbate health issues, making populations more vulnerable to diseases. In fact, the impact of climate change could double the mortality rates associated with these factors.
For almost three decades, leaders from around the globe have assembled to tackle the underlying causes of climate change while promoting sustainable development. However, effective and sustainable solutions remain intangible. The situation is terrible for developing and underdeveloped nations, which frequently struggle with insufficient resources and infrastructure.
Research indicates that Africa contributes merely 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 23% from China, 19% from the United States, and 13% from the European Union. Despite this minimal contribution, Africa remains exceptionally vulnerable to climate change impacts. As a result, the gap between nations widens, exacerbating vulnerabilities and hindering progress toward sustainability.
In a recent discussion, Ethiopian President Taye Atskeselassie emphasized the critical need for sustainable practices to address environmental issues. He condemned the global response to climate change as insufficient and urged African nations to take the lead in implementing effective solutions.
The President called for African countries to mobilize their resources and workforce while being vigilant against the adverse effects of climate change.
Some Experts also argue that the Global North must cease its unilateral approaches and commit to environmentally sustainable practices.
Speaking with The Ethiopian Herald, Researcher, and Climate Advocate, Nuhamin Tibebu highlighted how the Global North influences and shapes international climate policies and regulations. She pointed out that developed nations often prioritize their political and economic interests, exempting themselves from accountability for the environmental consequences of their actions on developing countries. This unilateral approach neglects the harm caused to Africa and other countries in the Global South by their policies.
Nuhamin noted that, the Global North’s established international climate regulations often fall short, resulting in minimal accountability. This inadequacy poses significant challenges for developing countries, which fear that strict adherence to these standards could harm their economies presents significant challenges. Consequently, the urgency of addressing climate change can be overshadowed by concerns about economic repercussions, hindering decisive action, she noted.
In his part, the Director of the Consortium for Climate Change Ethiopia, Yonas Gebru, stated that the damages caused by climate change primarily arise from the Global North’s failure to meet its responsibilities. He asserted that, these countries should provide adequate compensation for the harm they have caused, which significantly contributes to global climate issues.
When climate change impacts industrialized nations, they typically manage to address the challenges effectively, due to their robust economies and advanced technologies. In contrast, the Global South lacks these advantages, making them more vulnerable to climate repercussions, he said.
For instance, a recent global study of over 100,000 weather-related research findings revealed that 80% of the world’s land mass has been affected by climate change, impacting the majority of the 7.7 billion global populations.
According to WHO data, around 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and 600 million suffer foodborne infections annually, with 30% of foodborne deaths occurring in children under five. In 2020, 770 million individuals, primarily in Asia and Africa, faced hunger. Climate change exacerbates nutrition issues, affecting the diversity, quality, and availability of food.
In 2022, over 110 million people in Africa experienced direct impacts from weather-related hazards, leading to economic damages exceeding 8.5 billion USD and approximately 5,000 fatalities, primarily due to drought and flooding, according to the Emergency Event Database.
The Research indicated that 3.6 billion people currently reside in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. From 2030 to 2050, climate change is expected to result in around 250,000 additional deaths annually due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
Nuhamin emphasized that the detrimental effects of climate change, particularly in Africa, are exacerbated by the industrialized nations’ lack of engagement. Climate-related issues impact about half of the Global South’s population, and the disparity between these regions complicates the implementation of effective mitigation strategies.
Despite numerous global summits and conferences over the years, a clear, universally accepted solution to the climate crisis remains intangible. She emphasized those international climate conferences like COP and other meetings as paper tigers, highlighting their frequent failure to transform discussions into tangible actions. Nuhamin stressed the need to move beyond mere dialogue to ensure that commitments made at these meetings result in tangible real-world impacts.
Yonas pointed out that, financial support for climate change from wealthy nations should only be viewed as aid but the global north shouldn’t be assumed and structured these finances as loan standings. He condemned the frequent failure to implement commitments made at international forums, including COP meetings, where pledges for climate action and financial aid are often made but not fulfilled. Moreover, he advocated for Africa and other developing nations to actively pursue promised climate finance to enable significant progress in mitigating climate change effects.
To combat climate change effectively, Nuhamin called for enhanced initiatives from engaged countries. She cited Ethiopia’s Green Legacy program and similar renewable energy projects as examples that should be expanded.
Many vulnerable countries are struggling to tackle this scary challenge, resorting to a variety of actions and initiatives to address the problem. One of the mechanisms being employed to address the issues arising from climate change is the planting of trees.
In this regard, Ethiopia has been actively working on this initiative, especially over the last five years, by planting around over 40 billion seedlings. These seedlings are being planted under the “Green Legacy initiative,” which was launched in 2019.
Nuhamin advocated for greater collaboration among leaders and regional organizations, particularly during African Union meetings. By sharing successful experiences in climate action, nations can develop practical policies to address climate change.
To keep industrialized nations accountable, Yonas also underlined the necessity for Africa and other developing nations to work together in their calls for climate funding. He emphasized the reason that of the contributions made by wealthy countries to the effects of climate change, financial help should be seen as a duty rather than just as charity.
Furthermore, Nuhamin called on prominent individuals and climate specialists to step up their lobbying efforts against the Global North to raise awareness of climate challenges and promote concrete pledges. The international community may strive toward a more sustainable and just future by encouraging cooperation and giving vulnerable countries priority.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2024
