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The Climate Responsibility Campaign

Our Climate is Drowning - Who is Responsible?
 
Damage event 'Climate Change'

Weather extremes and rising sea level - the risks of global climate change for humans are becoming increasingly apparent. Poor rural people in the so-called developing countries are particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Their drinking water and food security are vitally endangered. Weather extremes such as floods or storms can cause set backs of a decade or more for entire regions.

Who Causes Climate Change?

Greenhouse gases are released almost exclusively in the industrialized countries and in the few rich oases within developing countries. The carbon intensive economy and lifestyle of this minority are the greatest causes of climate change. Whereas a US-American citizen releases approximately 20 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, and a German 10 tons, an Indian citizen releases only 1 ton of CO2 annually.

The consequences of climate change are devastating for our basic needs. This affects most the people of the South.

The "Perfect Crime"?

A person who causes damage has two responsibilities. Legally, he or she must stop causing the damage and also compensate the victims. Currently, we don't do this. We ignore our duty to limit climate damages and to pay for repairs:

  • The emissions reduction goals are insufficient.
  • The USA, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accepts no reductions at all.
  • Neither national nor international law protects those affected by climate change.
  • Those who cause damages neither shoulder the responsibility nor pay compensation.
The livelihood of millions of people is thus put at risk in a global experiment in which the perpetrators are known but are not (yet) called to accountability. Global climate change as the "perfect crime"?

Taking Responsibility

Those who cause climate change must be made responsible! Our Climate Responsibility Campaign argues that the people of the South should no longer bear the consequences of climate change alone.

We put pressure on national and - together with others - international politics, so that they will be forced to ask themselves:

  • Who will take responsibility for damages done?
  • Who will pay the essential, and often very expensive, adaptation and protection measures in countries which are especially vulnerable to weather extremes?
  • What could a liability system in support of the victims of global climate change look like?
  • What steps are necessary to be able to demand political and financial responsibility from those who have caused the damages?
Through public relations work, activities on location and lobby work, we want to bring these concepts to the forefront as a significant political issue. In thematic workshops bringing experts - such as scientists and insurers - together with those affected from both Southern and Northern countries we are working on developing solutions.		 Contact:

Sven Harmeling (harmeling@germanwatch.org)
Germanwatch
Kaiserstr. 201
D-53113 Bonn
ph +49-228-60492-17
fax +49-228-60492-19
 

We need your help getting these issues on the agenda!
Support the campaign actively with a donation. Donors can become climate campagneros and receive our exclusive pin.
 
 

last update 12 Aug 2006