Pakistan deserves reparations for a catastrophe caused by rich countries
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Version 0 of 1. The recent flooding is a direct result of a climate crisis fuelled by the global north. We must accept the blame and pay up, says Christopher Tanner Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar’s article (Rich countries caused Pakistan’s catastrophic flooding. Their response? Inertia and apathy, 5 September) underlines the scale of the catastrophe that has befallen Pakistan, and is a clear call by an eminent spokesperson from the global south for reparations to be paid by the rich world to countries directly affected by the climate crisis. Some may question the moral case for saying that rich countries must, in effect, admit guilt and cover the costs of catastrophes that occur far away, especially when these same countries are already committed to funding mitigation measures through forums such as Cop26 in Glasgow last year. There is an important distinction here, however. Cop26 payments – which are still far from being implemented – will allow poorer countries to put in place infrastructure and other measures to reduce the worst impacts of the crisis now affecting all of us. Mr Khokhar is arguing for additional payments in compensation for damages caused by those who have created the climate crisis and its consequent catastrophes. Pakistan contributes less than 1% in global emissions and has played almost no part in creating the climate crisis. The mass of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere has been accumulating since at least 1850, when the global north began burning coal and oil to fuel its industrialisation and drive the imperialism that enabled it to extract vast resources from countries now seriously affected by climate change. Like anyone who causes damage to his or her neighbour, and has been living well off their resources, we should accept the blame and pay up accordingly. Christopher Tanner Llandovery, Carmarthenshire Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication. |