Global warming - global debt

As part of the GCAP Month of Action, I have anumber of speaking engagements on climate change. But how does this relate to debt relief? In brief...

The scientific evidence is now overwhelming - climate change will overwhelm the entire globe, bringing unimaginable calamity on our own children or grandchildren, unless vigorous action is taken as a matter of urgency. "Never before have we faced such a global threat… The longer we procrastinate, the more difficult the task becomes" (Lord Robert May, President of the Royal Society).

But the world's poor will suffer first and most – "The impacts of climate change will fall disproportionately upon developing countries and the poor… within all countries" (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Indeed, there is strong evidence (from climate labs of the highest standing) that they are already suffering severely from the effects of our polluting life style - "Climate change, largely caused by greenhouse gas emissions, may already be responsible for… a drop in rainfall since 1996 in Ethiopia and surrounding..." (Lord Robert May).

So does this mean, debt relief and trade justice are no longer as important as once we considered them to be? NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO! Indebted poor countries are going to need all the help they can get to weather the storms now metaphorically and literally brewing on their horizons. Climate change simply adds one more reason why we have an obligation to stop pussyfooting around and 'Drop the Debt!'