Several European Countries Pledge Climate Change Funds to Poor Countries at COP27, USA Remains Silent

With the COP27 underway, several European leaders have announced funds to help poorer nations recover from loss and damage caused by climate change. Unfortunately, the United States, one of the biggest contributors to Climate change, did not follow suit.

Source: Down To Earth/YouTube

Efforts from Western nations began as leaders of developing countries continued to call for financial compensation. Last year, Scotland was the only country to commit $2.2 million for loss and damage, and hopefully, this year, more will agree. The matter has been placed on the formal agenda for this year.

While the world’s richest countries, like the United States and the European Union, account for the bulk of the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to Climate change, they are often the countries that see the least damage. Vulnerable and disadvantaged countries typically suffer the worst from climate events.

A recent report found that South Asian economies are 10 times more exposed to global-warming threats over the coming decades than the rest of the world. Heatwaves are nothing new to India and surrounding countries, but they are increasingly becoming worse due to Climate change.

“We need to put together the loss and damage fund we have been speaking about for years,” The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, said.

The prime minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano also called for a guaranteed loss and damage facility. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif spoke of the continuing recovery efforts from the summer of heartbreaking floods in the country.

“This all happened despite our very low carbon footprint,” Sharif said. “Loss and damage needs to be part of the core agenda of COP27.”

Many countries made remarks and emphasized that their countries could not afford the cost of adapting to Climate change. They spoke about how impossible it is to try to recover from one climate disaster while also preparing for the next. Thankfully, by the end of the third day, many European countries had pledged cash for a new loss and damage fund.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, endorsed the idea of new funds for poor nations that are affected by Climate change. The  Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheál Martin, also pledged $10 million “to protect the most vulnerable from climate loss and damage.”

Austria also agreed to pay around $50 million to developing countries. Belgium joined in and promised $2.5 million in loss and damage funding to Mozambique. Denmark also previously said they would spend at least $13 million for loss and damage in developing nations. Germany pledged $170 million for a new program that gives nations a form of insurance in the event of climate emergencies.

John Kerry, President Biden’s climate envoy, agreed to discuss the idea of loss and damage funds, but the United States has yet to agree to anything.

Countries like the United States are responsible for Climate change, and they have a responsibility to step up and help these smaller countries that are feeling the worst of this extreme weather! Even though we can’t see the global impacts of climate change every day, it is truly a global problem. We need to work toward fighting Climate change and remember that our actions can impact people all over the world who could be paying a much higher price than we think.

Sign this petition to demand wealthy countries like the U.S. cut emissions and compensate Pakistan for its flood-related losses!

While you’re at it, you can also awareness through activism Apparel by wearing sustainable brands like Tiny Rescue. Check out the Climate Change Collection!

Related Content:

• Denmark Becomes First Country to Pay for ‘Loss and Damage’ From Climate Crisis
• Famous Glaciers like Dolomites and Yosemite Could Disappear by 2050 Due to Global Warning, New Report Finds
• Petition: Demand Wealthy Countries Help Pakistan With Climate-Related Flooding
• Nearly $2 Trillion Worth of Economic Damage was Caused to Poorer Countries Due to Excessive Emissions From the US

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