West must subscribe to policy that polluter must pay

SA’S role in pushing for the inclusion of the issue of loss and damage caused by global warming must be applauded. The global south has won a small battle by bringing this issue to the fore at COP27.

At issue here is a principle all human beings should easily understand, that any party that causes damage must pay for it.

Of course, bullies understand this principle and many other principles that govern and guide the coexistence of mankind, but they often want to be exempted from such principles.

This seems to be the stance of the global north, often also referred to as the western world or the developed world.

It goes without saying that developed countries have contributed far more to global warming than developing countries and as such should bear the bulk of the cost to repair the damage caused by climate change.

“The fact remains these nations are responsible for climate change. Loss and damage (L&D) is a thorny issue at COP27.

“That it is finally on the agenda is a step forward, but it is far too early at this stage to know if we are going to be making any relevant progress on the matter,” SA environmental affairs, forestry, and fisheries minister Barbara Creecy said.

The issue of global warming is one of the few that have gained global consensus. This is a rare moment in history and, in my humble opinion, it should be milked for all it’s worth.

By this I mean human beings have an opportunity to unite on one issue and solve it in a just and amicable manner.

The longstanding but abhorrent tendency of nations that are strong militarily and economically doing as they please can be discarded to the annals of history.

It has never been an admirable or honourable thing to start with.

While western nations seem hell-bent on avoiding this issue, perhaps partly because of the global energy crisis caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, it would be a historic moment for them to take responsibility now.

It is a turnaround moment that could signal the emergence of true global progress. It would signal that human beings and nations have matured and have grown past the era of bullying.

If western nations could recognise the principle of taking responsibility for damage caused, this could open up an entirely new age of progress, peace and civility.

“These countries are trying to avoid being held liable at all costs. They do not subscribe to the policy that the polluter must pay,” Centre for Environmental Rights climate advocacy lawyer Brandon Abdinor said.

Perhaps one of the reasons why western nations are reluctant to take responsibility is that they suspect they might open a door to an avalanche of liabilities.

It is not only climate change that resulted from the western world’s march towards global domination; there is a lot that the west has to answer for and they know it.

However, what is unique about the situation we find ourselves in, is that global warming and indeed many other global issues require the contribution of every human being.

They require that we pull together despite the wide-ranging areas of responsibility we must take.

For instance, developing countries have a huge responsibility to weed out corruption and the mentality of entitlement that forms its bedrock.

The financial contribution of the western countries must not only deal with the damage caused by global warming in an efficient manner but must assist developing countries to switch to renewable energy.

This is all well understood, yet the greatest challenge for developing countries or the global south will be the efficient and productive disbursement

Perhaps one of the reasons why western nations are reluctant to take responsibility is that they suspect they might open a door to an avalanche of liabilities

of those funds for their stated purpose.

In this way, global warming challenges both the global north and global south.

If these sections of the globe each take their responsibility, we might be entering a new era that will unleash human potential and restore the natural balance in a big way.

The barbaric idea that global economic progress and global environmental health cannot occur at the same time must be banished to the distant past.

It has taken the united voice of African nations to raise the important issue of loss and damage caused by global warming.

It reminds me of a time when SA punched far above its weight on issues of the moral conduct of nations.

We need to return to that place where our history imbues us with moral authority rather than greed and entitlement.