At the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, interim leader of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, launched a scathing attack on wealthy nations, demanding that they take responsibility for the climate crisis they have caused. Yunus, a Nobel laureate, asserted that rather than continuing climate negotiations, the wealthy nations should directly provide the funds to address the catastrophic effects of climate change.
“You Are Causing the Problem”
During his speech, Yunus boldly stated, “Why should there be a negotiation? You are causing the problem, then you solve it.” This message resonated strongly at a conference where the gap between developed and developing nations on climate action continues to widen. Yunus echoed sentiments of historical injustice, adding, “We will raise our voice and tell them it’s your fault, like what we did with colonialism.”
Yunus’s sharp words stemmed from the disproportionate impact that wealthier nations’ emissions are having on developing countries, particularly those in South Asia. As the world’s largest carbon emitters—the U.S. and China—continue to contribute significantly to global emissions, countries like Bangladesh, which contribute much less, suffer the harshest consequences.
A Call for Accountability
The COP29 conference has been criticized for a lack of attendance from key global leaders, especially from the top 13 carbon-emitting nations, which account for over 70% of global emissions. This absence highlights the ongoing reluctance of wealthy countries to commit to the level of financial investment needed to mitigate the climate crisis. At the conference, calls have been made for wealthy nations to invest $1 trillion annually to help developing countries manage the impacts of climate change, but these requests remain largely unmet.
For Yunus, this absence is a sign of a failed system. The Nobel laureate is particularly concerned with how Bangladesh, a country of 170 million people, is being left to fend for itself in the face of intensifying climate events. “The negotiations are like a fish market,” Yunus remarked, expressing his frustration with the lack of real action and commitment from the countries, most responsible for climate change.
Bangladesh’s Vulnerability
Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. Ranked 163rd in terms of vulnerability, the country is already experiencing severe weather events, including six consecutive floods since Yunus assumed leadership in August 2024. These floods have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed crops, exacerbating the economic crisis in the nation. By 2050, climate change is projected to displace up to 13 million people in Bangladesh, decimate agricultural GDP by a third, and reduce the country’s overall GDP by 9%.
In addition to the economic toll, Bangladesh faces significant challenges. The country risks losing up to one-sixth of its land. This is due to rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions. The government is calling for urgent global support. Bangladesh seeks help to adapt to these environmental changes. The aim is to mitigate damage caused by emissions from wealthier countries.
The Divide Between Developed and Developing Nations
Yunus’s statements underscore the growing divide between developed and developing nations in the climate change discourse. While wealthy nations like the U.S. and China continue to produce the bulk of global emissions, it is the poorest countries, such as those in South Asia, that are suffering the most. Bangladesh, already grappling with a fragile economy, is now facing an existential threat from the environmental fallout of global industrialization.
The failure of wealthy nations to take significant responsibility has fueled frustration in developing countries. Developing nations bear the brunt of climate change consequences, yet receive limited support from wealthier countries. Yunus’s call to end climate negotiations represents a shift in climate conversation strategies.
Vulnerable nations now demand accountability rather than relying solely on negotiations. As climate change impacts worsen, this question remains critical. Will nations most responsible for the crisis step up and offer support? Or will developing countries continue to bear disproportionate consequences without sufficient aid?
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