Editorial
Climate Vulnerable Forum takes off
The worst affected must stand together
Climate change is taking a toll on not only the ecology of nations around the world, but also their political, economic and social stability, with the poorest nations and the poorest of the rich nations being the worst sufferers. This was one of the key points made at the talks at the ministerial level two-day international conference on Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), a newly created platform of vulnerable countries inspired by the Copenhagen and Cancun meets.
At the conference, which precedes the Durban climate conference scheduled for the end of this month with the aim of reaching a consensus about standing together at the Durban negotiations, representatives and activists from climate vulnerable countries declared that, instead of waiting around for assistance from the developed nations, the affected nations themselves must begin to take quick action. As was duly noted by speakers at the conference, of the numerous initiatives taken by various international forums since 1990, very few have actually been implemented. The most vulnerable nations in terms of climate change, who also happen to be some of the poorest in the world, continue to suffer the consequences of what are the activities of the rich and developed nations with little, if any, compensation thus far.
The $130 billion economic cost of climate change, not to mention the political and social unrest also stemming from it, will continue to increase unless action is taken and soon. The formation of the CVF is a positive initiative. However, our concern is that it too should not become a platform for mere talk and no action. The members of the forum, which include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Costa Rica and Nepal among others, are the first and worst casualties of the climate crisis and it is only through their raised voices and concerted actions that something can be done. We hope that this CVF take-off will lead to a more united and stronger presence of the vulnerable nations at the upcoming Durban conference and that their grievances will be duly addressed by the global community and solutions to the problem implemented speedily and effectively.
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