Arguments

Rich countries – pay your climate debt
For years and years, the industrialized countries have been emitting green house gases, which have significantly contributed to global warming. The devastating effects of these climate changes are mostly felt in developing countries that are the least responsible for the global emissions. The reoccurrence of drought and floods and other calamities are alarming.
The rich, industrialized countries have to face their debt.  ActionAid calculations based on UN research suggest that in order to solve the problems created, the rich and polluting countries should pay a climate debt of 100 billion dollars. The climate debt of Denmark is 5 billion Danish kroner. Payment of the climate debt should be used to solve the current climate problems. African countries, for instance, are constantly facing severe droughts and floods, which are the effects of climate change.

Let’s talk adaptation!
The number of hungry people has increased from 815 million people to 1 billion and the situation is deteriorating due to climate change. Most families in developing countries rely on small-scale agriculture – but with the current situation their output is reducing. Small-scale farmers comprise 75% of the poor populations, climate change is making the situation worse.
The ongoing negotiations are mainly focused on mitigating the effects of climate change – as if climate change was an issue of the future. It is not. Therefore, we need to put the issue of finances for adaptation to climate change on the agenda.

Small farmers needs access to new technologies
People in developing countries need new technologies to adapt to climate change, ensuring that the poverty problem does not deepen due to overpollution in the rich countries. Poor countries have contributed the least to climate change but are most affected by it. It is their right to be compensated for the damage caused and disoriented livelihoods. The 5 billion kroner we are demanding from the Danish government – and more from other rich, industrialized countries – are to go towards these adaptation measures. This will include capacity building of small scale farmers to access and use the new technologies like water storage facilities, seed variety that is organic, irrigation among others. The report “Who should pay to tackle climate change in developing countries?” made by ActionAid, explains exact how the climate debt ought to be paid. We need to act together as everyone are and will be affected by negative climate change; from hosting people who are refugees of climate change to dealing with roaring food prices all over the world. It is our responsibility to secure the only place there is human survival: our earth.

Who should distribute the money
It is not yet calculated how much money shall be allocated in the various parts of the continent and who oversees it expenditures and accountability.  We believe that the money should be distributed through the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) as it is both a legitimate body and is concerned about the social, economic and political stability in developing countries.