‘Show Me the Money’—Grenada’s Prime Minister Calls for Climate Justice – Global Issues
BAKU, Nov 14 (IPS) – “Even though I come from a ‘worry-free’ island, climate change is a big concern,” Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell told IPS in an exclusive interview at the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Asked how his country is recovering from Hurricane Beryl, Mitchell said the island in the past 24 hours “experienced flash floods and landslides … So, apart from Hurricane Beryl, we’re also dealing with other weather disasters.”
However, despite the challenges, the people of Grenada remain strong.
“We (the people of Grenada) are a strong people. But we will change the mindset of the people to a long-term vision, adaptation and protection and sustainability,” said Mitchell. “We (SIDS) are at the forefront of this climate crisis. It’s not easy—we’re dealing with disruption, loss of livelihoods, property damage and loss of life.”
His home country of Grenada—a small island nation in the Caribbean Sea—faces the greatest vulnerability to climate change, and has seen an increase in hurricanes, heavy rains, landslides, forest fires, crop loss, and water scarcity.
“It’s my first COP, and I came here to show the world that we must be serious about changing the world and protecting the climate.”
Mitchell’s determination to secure the best deal for his island nation is evident when asked about the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) called a game-changing tool that is expected to save up to USD 250 billion, he replied “In the Caribbean Islands, carbon emissions do not exist. We hold the end our transaction—all Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have it.
However, there was more to climate change than emissions, which Mitchell believes is at the heart of the discussion. He would like to see more benefits for ordinary people affected by climate change.
“Funding should be direct and transparent and should be for farmers and fishing communities who suffer the most.”
He said it is disappointing to tell 16 to 17-year-olds that the global temperature is rising by 1.5 degrees.
He took a breath and continued, “We must admit that we are falling short of the necessary levels. To deal with this, we must focus on climate finance to support the reduction, adaptation, and stability of resources. Our goal is sustainability, renewal, and secure energy. for the future We are ready to make this change, but it needs support finances and strong relationships to make it happen.”
When asked about his expectations for COP29? He asserted, “It is one planet, one globe. Although our carbon emissions are not there, we are the most vulnerable.”
He then threw down the gauntlet to rich countries.
“At COP 29, if developed countries are serious about dealing with the climate problem, they must take measures to curb carbon emissions and be able to finance them. There is no reason to get carbon subsidies. There is no reason not to switch to renewable energy. or not to finance us to ensure climate adaptation.”
Mitchell wants that at COP29 climate funds should be sorted out.
“At COP29, we must properly organize climate funds for SIDS, especially by making the procedures easier and simpler, without their control. For example, the Loss and Damage Funds should go to SIDS for the real losses and damages that these islands suffer,” he said. . .
The Prime Minister insists—unnecessary bureaucracy in obtaining funds is unacceptable.
“We shouldn’t be creating ‘projects’ to get funding to rebuild flooded schools or compensate farmers for their crops. We’re already doing a lot to build financial resilience—we can only go so far!”
And, talking about his country and the current problem of floods and landslides, he says, “we ask for strong measures at COP 29.”
His message is direct.
“I’m going to use a famous American saying, ‘Show me the money!’… Simply put, if you have a climate disaster of ‘X’ magnitude, you get a bill. And that bill should be allowed to directly respond to the needs of citizens without paying it, without charging interest on it, and without of being able to go (to global centers) to access it That’s the kind of simple manuscript we need.
IPS UN Bureau Report
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
