Sir, – Jennie Stephens’s article brought me back to the time I spent working in Nepal in 2022 (“It takes collective climate action to fight climate destruction”, Climate Crisis, September 17th).
I met people living in poverty and material hardship that most of us in Ireland can scarcely imagine. Today, those same communities are experiencing some of the most devastating consequences of a crisis they did almost nothing to create. Nepal’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions has been negligible, yet its people face melting glaciers, catastrophic floods, landslides, destroyed homes and livelihoods, and the loss of lives.
This is climate injustice in its starkest form. The countries and communities that have benefited least from fossil-fuelled economic growth are often paying the highest price, while wealthier, high-emitting nations continue to delay meaningful action.
Climate change is not only an environmental or economic issue; it is a moral one. Reducing our own emissions is essential, but it is not enough. Countries such as Ireland must also support vulnerable nations with finance for adaptation, resilient infrastructure and recovery from climate-related loss and damage.
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The people of Nepal should not be left to carry the consequences of choices made elsewhere. Collective climate action must mean collective responsibility, with those who contributed most doing their fair share to protect those who have contributed least. – Yours, etc,
RAQUEL NOBOA,
Liscannor,
Co Clare.
