All around us, there is verifiable evidence about the way fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are speeding up the warming of the earth. While individual solutions are often posited on how we can limit our carbon footprint, the reality is that without holding corporations and developed countries accountable, individual action means very little. Four global businesses in the world are responsible for 10% of CO2 emissions, and the world’s pollution. This demonstrates the importance of curbing the impact of these industries. The industrial age brought forward with it, a constant pursuit of economic growth that is speeding our world into a catalysmic event that will make human life as we know it untenable. Around the world, we have been seeing immense changes in our weather patterns, such as unprecedented floods, (as is currently being seen in Trinidad, and which were seen last year in Guyana) droughts and wildfires. This has of course significantly impacted food production as many coastal and rural communities are affected by the excesses caused by climate change. Climate change has been steadily impacting food security as lower agricultural yields are being reported globally, and a growing number of persons are becoming food insecure. The futures of many are becoming incredibly uncertain. It is these uncertain realities that made the recent agenda addition at the United Nations Conference of the Parties COP27, so monumental.
For the very first time, climate compensation was put on the agenda at a COP event for damages caused by climate change, particularly in poor and developing countries. For a long time in climate talks, the question has remained as to who should bear the responsibility for righting the ship on climate change, and for being accountable for the damage caused. Developed countries and the industries that drive them are the main contributors toward the significant warming of the earth, and as such, the argument has long been that they are responsible for paying poor and developing countries monies for the impact their industries have on these small economies. While that was put forward however, this COP27 saw a backtracking related to the targets set for the limiting of global warming. While last year, commitments were made to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, this year the degree threshold was set at 2 degrees celsius. Climate mitigation, or the cutting of greenhouse gas emissions to 1.5 degrees is extremely important to ensuring that the Earth’s climate defence systems are not pushed towards an untenable future.
This question of the responsibility of developed nations was echoed by Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley at COP27. Mottley advocated for 1% of revenues from developed countries who participate in the sale of fossil fuels as they contribute most towards the climate disaster. These funds would go into a loss and damage fund that would compensate the most impacted countries for losses, and provide them with the resources needed to invest into development of their economy. It is seen by many as a reparatory justice action that could signal fundamental adjustment in developed countries’ CO2 emissions, or, it is just another green tax initiative that the world’s polluters will be happy to pay if it means they are allowed to continue business as usual unchecked. Whatever it is, as the leader of one of the smallest and most climate vulnerable island states, Mottley has over the past few years solidified herself as a leading voice on the building climate crisis. It is of course great to see a Caribbean leader who is cognizant of the threat of the climate emergency, but how is this commitment rationalized against what are seen as development prospects? During his time as president, Bharrat Jagdeo had also built a reputation for himself as being a climate conscious leader. In 2008, Time Magazine named him as one of their “Heroes of the environment” and in 2010, the United Nations awarded him the “Champion of the Earth” award. It is quite interesting to see this former champion relentlessly promote the fossil fuel industry as the best move for Guyana’s growth. It clearly takes a certain level of cognitive dissonance and irresponsibility to now posit a major environmental threat, as being a saviour to Guyana. If it is one thing that we have learnt since the first oil find, human and environmental rights will always come after that of the bottom line of the estimated oil monies to be gained.
Guyana has already begun to feel the impacts of the climate emergency, and its effects will continue to get worse as we build upon our reliance on extractive industries. Compensation for the global climate crisis from the main drivers of it can be seen as a good step towards reparatory climate justice. However, developing countries must also be cautious as they themselves continue to rely on destructive extractivist industries.