A Quarter of Bangladesh Is Flooded. Millions Have Lost Everything.
The inequity is striking, no matter which way you slice it. One recent analysis found that the world’s richest 10 percent
are responsible for up to 40 percent of global environmental damage,
including climate change, while the poorest 10 percent account for less
than 5 percent. Another estimated that warming had reduced incomes in the world’s poorest countries by between 17 percent and 30 percent.
are responsible for up to 40 percent of global environmental damage,
including climate change, while the poorest 10 percent account for less
than 5 percent. Another estimated that warming had reduced incomes in the world’s poorest countries by between 17 percent and 30 percent.
Poor
countries have long sought a kind of reparations for what they call
loss and damage from climate change. Rich countries, led by the United
States and European Union, have resisted, mainly out of concern that
they could be saddled with liability claims for climate damage.
It
doesn’t help that the rich world has failed to deliver on a $100
billion aid package to help poor countries cope, promised as part of the
2015 Paris accord.