South Asia and Beyond

It Is Black Or White, Polluters Have To Pay More: Former Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

NEW DELHI: In our special series on the global climate crisis, Former Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim in conversation with StratNews Global Associate Editor Amitabh P. Revi. “We have to listen to science that has been speaking for the past 40 years,” the former Mauritius President says, lamenting that “the urgency with which climate change issues are being tackled is still not there.” While pointing out global solutions can only come through all stakeholders, the biodiversity scientist and professor blames the developed north for “moving to take action only when their economies are affected.” Referring to “resistance to share technology,” she asks “why should Africa bear the brunt of climate change when the continent has hardly contributed to any greenhouse gas emission?” The “message has to be drummed into the heads of all these leaders, ”she adds, at the Conference of the Parties (COP26) scheduled in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, while being adamant “those who have polluted more, need to pay more. I see it that way. It’s very, very, much black and white.”

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