Climate change 'greatest threat' the world faces: UN expert
The UN expert highlights that Indigenous environmental activists have particularly been the target of serious attacks and human rights abuses.
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Pictures of indigenous environmental activists who were killed
A UN expert has warned that human-induced climate change is "the largest, most pervasive threat to the natural environment and societies the world has ever experienced," stressing that the poorest are the ones bearing the brunt of it.
Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, said in a report to the General Assembly today, "Throughout the world, human rights are being negatively impacted and violated as a consequence of climate change. This includes the right to life, health, food, development, self-determination, water and sanitation, work, adequate housing, and freedom from violence, sexual exploitation, trafficking, and slavery."
He added that "there is an enormous injustice being manifested by developed economies against the poorest and least able to cope. Inaction by developed economies and major corporations to take responsibility for drastically reducing their greenhouse gas emissions has led to demands for ‘climate reparations’ for losses incurred. The G20 members, for instance, account for 78 percent of emissions over the last decade."
The report focuses on several topics, which include mitigation action, loss and damage, access and inclusion, and the protection of climate rights defenders.
"The overall effect of inadequate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is creating a human rights catastrophe, and the costs of these climate change-related disasters are enormous," Fry said.
He further added that those who endure the most from this crisis are the ones who get the least representation in the decision-making process.
He urged the Assembly to do more for countries at risk so that they may have a bigger say, including children and youth, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and minorities.
Fry also raised deep awareness about climate rights defenders.
"As groups and communities become increasingly frustrated with the lack of action on climate change, they have turned to protests and public interventions to bear witnesses to the climate emergency. Sadly, we are seeing many climate rights defenders persecuted by governments and security organizations. Some defenders have even been killed," he said.
Indigenous environmental activists have particularly been the target of serious attacks and human rights abuses.
TODAY!
— Nic Cheeseman (@Fromagehomme) May 31, 2022
Why are so many environmental activists being killed?
How is climate change *already* driving poverty and migration around the world?
How can we fight back?
Brilliant set of speakers - join us.https://t.co/YbV9lrrw99 pic.twitter.com/jhKlhG3Jg3
Environmental Activists are being killed and prisoned for speaking the truth and protecting the Environment.#JoannaStuchburry, will be remembered for her efforts in protecting Kiambu forest in Kenya. RIP💚😢
— Dorcas Wakio (@WakioDorcas) July 17, 2021
Defend the Defenders!
📢📢Justice!Justice!for #joannaStuchburry pic.twitter.com/1gBF7d04DS
Fry listed a series of recommendations to the General Assembly, including a proposed High-Level Mitigation Commitment Forum to be held in 2023, the establishment of a consultative group of finance experts to define the modalities and rules for the operation of a Loss and Damage Finance Facility, and a climate change redress and grievance mechanism to allow vulnerable communities to seek recourse for damages incurred.
Read more: African climate crisis should be 'supreme concern' to world: Report
