Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen is in Bonn, Germany this week for one of the world’s biggest climate change meetings, and the stakes could not be higher.
Last week, the World Meteorological Organisation warned that there is an 80 percent chance of an El Niño event later this year, which could supercharge weather extremes and drive climate destruction for women and communities across the world.
The El Niño impact in a climate crisis
From Australia to Indonesia to the Horn of Africa, El Niño raises the threat of devastating climate disasters, from severe floods and droughts to heatwaves and a higher likelihood of bushfires.
When communities are already reeling from rising food costs caused by the US and Israel’s illegal war on Iran, El Niño conditions could disrupt crops and food systems, making it harder for people across the world to access food.
Australia has an opportunity to pay its fair share of climate finance – so women and communities are not left to bear these costs alone.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that raises global temperatures, driving heavier rain in parts of southern South America, southern United States, the Horn of Africa and central Asia and hotter and drier conditions in Australia, Indonesia, and parts of southern Asia.
But climate change is inflaming El Niño, as rising temperatures worsen its impacts. This increases the risk of deadly climate disasters, like severe floods, droughts, heatwaves, and bushfires.
Climate change doesn’t impact us all equally. It’s women and communities across the Global South who are least responsible for the climate crisis that end up bearing the greatest impacts.
The El Niño warning is clear
As the UN warns countries to prepare for the impacts of El Niño, this inequality could not be clearer. In a statement this month, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the world: “El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed.”
Many countries in the Global South simply do not have the resources they need to prepare for climate disasters or respond to their impacts.
That’s why we’re calling on Climate Minister Bowen to show leadership at the Bonn climate negotiations by committing Australia to pay its fair share of global climate finance, so that women in the Global South aren’t left footing the bill.
Will you add your voice to our calls for Australia to act? Email the Australian Government and call on them to pay its fair share of climate finance, to support communities feeling the worst impacts of the climate crisis.