Climate change: Group demands compensation from developing nations

As the world celebrates the world environment day today, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Environmental Rights Action (ERA); has called on developed countries to repay their adaptation debt to developing countries by committing full financing and compensation for the adverse effects of climate change on all affected countries, groups and people.

The theme of this year's celebration is ‘Your planet needs you. Unite to combat climate change.'

The Executive Director of the non-governmental organisation, Nnimmo Bassey, said during a media roundtable to commemorate the event, on Thursday, that world leaders should realise the seriousness of the climate crisis and not see it as an avenue to help their corporate friends reap profits.

"Sea levels are rising, the desert is advancing, freak weather events are more frequent, agricultural production is adversely impacted and more and more people are getting displaced all because of climate change," said Mr. Bassey.

He said the recent global crisis requires united, urgent action, and not mere talks.

Climate talks are currently going on in Bonn, Germany, through the ad-hoc Working groups. These talks are meant to prepare the grounds for the negotiations that will take place at the convention of parties in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.

"The Bonn talks, are supposed to be based firmly on the parameters set by the climate convention, but the reality is that developed countries are working very hard to shift the goal posts," said Mr. Bassey.

He said some of the key tactics of developed countries, is to reclassify developing countries and then set emissions cut target for developing countries, especially India and China.

ERA, in conjunction with other NGOs, are also urging developed countries to repay their emissions debt to developing countries and make available to them the financing and technology required to cover the cost of mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The NGOs also urged the Nigerian government to stop action on new oil fields. "Let's manage the existing ones, halt the unacceptable violence in the oil fields, stop gas flaring and give the earth a chance," said Mr. Bassey.