Climate debt: No charity but right

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Md Shariful Islam The case for climate debt begins like most discussions of climate change: with the science. Before the Industrial Revolution, the density of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - the key cause of global warming-was about 280 parts per million (ppm). Today, it has reached 387 ppm - far above safe limits and it is still rising. Developed countries, which represent less than 20 per cent of the world's population, have emitted almost 75 per cent of all greenhouse gas pollution that is now destabilising the climate. The US alone, which comprises barely five per cent of the global population, contributes 25 per cent of all carbon emissions. The developing countries have contributed only a small fraction of the 200 years of cumulative pollution that has caused the crisis. Bangladesh emits carbon only 0.2 tonne, developing countries 1.6 tonne and developed countries 15-20 tonnes. Though, Bangladesh pollutes less, yet she is the most vulnerable country to the impacts of global warming and climate change. On November 15, 2007, Cyclone Sidr hit the South-West coast of Bangladesh with winds up to 240 kilometres per hour. The damage, in terms of lives, economy, and environment was extremely extensive. In total some 8.7 million people were affected at a time. There are various statistics with regard to the damage and losses caused by the cyclone Sidr. Some of the reliable sources suggest that about one million people were severely affected. The number of deaths caused by Sidr is estimated at 3,406 and 1,001 people are missing. More than 55,000 were injured and about 9.0 million people in 30 districts were affected. The Red Crescent Society estimated the death toll to have been as high as 10,000. The British Red Cross estimates that 845,000 households were affected. According to the Government of Bangladesh, the total estimated damage and losses caused by the cyclone Sidr is US $ 1.7 billion. Bangladesh is also prone to floods and the severity and intensity have increased due to climatic impacts. According to the World Development Board 2010, about 18 per cent of Bangladesh's land will be submerged if the sea level rises by one meter. It will result in the displacement of almost 30 million people, so-called climate refugees. According to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Bangladesh is projected to loss the largest amount of cultivable land due to rising sea levels. This could lead to a significant drop in the production of rice (8.0 per cent) and wheat (32 per cent) by the year 2050. There will be huge shortage of food as the present population 162.2 million will be turned into 222 million by 2050. Bangladesh will lose some 14,000 tonnes of food grain production due to sea-level rise by 2030, rising to 252,000 tonnes by 2075 in its Eastern part alone, according to a study of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies. Climate induced natural hazards are major concerns in addressing health impacts. In a massive flood in 1988, 30 million people were affected in Bangladesh where 5.37 million were affected by diarrhoea. In 1998, more than 30 million people were affected by flood but the incidence of diarrhea decreased by more than 50 per cent compared to 1988. This was mainly due to extensive measures taken by the government. But from 2000 to 2007, the incidence of diarrhea shows an increasing trend because of increased frequency of flood. In 2007, the incidences were highest in the last six years may be due to flood and recurrent floods. The impact of climate change will accelerate the economic instability in Bangladesh. For example, the contribution of crop agriculture to gross domestic product (GDP) has been reduced by 2.48 per cent and 2.38 per cent respectively because of 1998 and 2004 floods. From the above analysis, it can be said that climate debt is not a benevolence for Bangladesh but justice which must be ensured from the developed countries. And hence, Bangladesh must give more emphasis on climate diplomacy to ensure climate justice and most importantly the developing countries must work collectively to exert pressure on the developed countries not only for a legal binding agreement to cut carbon emission but also for a global climate justice. The writer is a post-graduate student in International Relations at the University of Dhaka. He can be reached at e-mail: shariful.shuvo.duir@gmail.com