Once upon a time, some empires rose and spread out through the world. They came to lands which already had rich histories and cultures. They came when the rivers were clear and the forests were dense and they saw opportunity in the wealth of the land. So, they took the land and fractured the people. They stole the wealth and burned the forests. They poisoned the rivers and the skies and they continued to do so until the seas rose, the skies turned red, the lands dried and storms became angrier. All this, whilst they continued to become rich. Now is the time to support those who are suffering from these impacts they did not cause. Now is the time for a Loss and Damage Finance Fund/Facility (the name doesn’t matter, the principles do – new, additional, adequate, predictable, needs-, grants-based) as requested by the G77 and China.
The last two dystopian weeks (plus three decades) the people have been shouting for finance to address Loss and Damage and have united as never before. Our friends from the EU who are listening and engaging but publicly toeing the same line as the lone US. The US remains the biggest obstacle to this long-sought climate justice. The people and the majority of the world are united… the people are watching, the people will not forget. On which side of history will you stand?