UN: Rich Countries Must Do More to Ease Climate Change

New York (AHN) - A report issued by the United Nations called for the developed countries to extend their efforts to preventing the climate change, as well as to assisting the nations who are under the greatest threat should the environmental crisis take full effect.

The U.N.'s annual Human Development Report revealed that while developed countries are mostly responsible for emitting the gases that are primarily responsible for the phenomenon, it will be the developing countries, who themselves do not have great contribution to the aggravation of the environmental issue, that will be run over by the consequences - something that the report identified as a double standard.

The U.N. also urged rich countries to aid the developing ones in adapting to the already-unfolding effects of the climate crisis. It revealed that countries in poverty, such as those located near the equator, are at greatest risk of water shortages, droughts, flooding rains and severe storms. The report gave a rebuke regarding the meager spending of climate-adaptation projects, which amounts to only $26 million.

"All countries must be a part in international efforts to tackle climate change," the report said, according to China Daily.

Archbishop Tutu commented in the report, waving his finger at how the rich countries are shielded from climate change effects through wealth, while overlooking the aid that is needed by poorer nations.

"People are being left to sink or swim in their own resources," the New York Times quoted the archbishop. He warned that a continuous trend of this would bring about a world of "adaptation apartheid.

The report also urged developing countries to cooperate in the fight against global warming. It also called for adaptation to the effects of climate change to be considered in formulating strategies to reduce poverty.