Opinion | South Sudan's residents face the harsh realities of climate change - The Washington Post
Opinion | South Sudan’s residents face the harsh realities of climate change - The Washington Post
The Nov. 5 front-page article “ In South Sudan, a climate crisis deepens misery” shone a light on an issue that is often overlooked. Having visited South Sudan twice in recent years, I’ve witnessed the harsh realities the article captured — those who contribute the least to climate change, including the people of South Sudan, bear its most devastating impacts.
This reality is well-documented. The World Bank states that the 74 poorest nations, producing less than 10 percent of global greenhouse gases, are unfortunately the most susceptible to climate-induced challenges. Similarly, the International Monetary Fund warns of escalating hunger in fragile states because of climatic adversities.
As the chief executive of a Christian humanitarian organization, I hold the belief that we are stewards of God’s creation, including both the environment and humanity. Though many in the faith community grapple with how to respond to climate change, stories from South Sudan underscore the urgency of the issue and the human side of things. Our actions in affluent nations have profound implications worldwide. Let this serve as a wake-up call for many and an invitation to prioritize the basic needs of our global neighbors over our own comfort and excessive consumption.
Myal N. Greene, Chesapeake, Va.
The writer is president and chief executive of World Relief.
- Opinion|Virginia had better things to do with $400Just nowOpinion|Virginia had better things to do with $400Just now
- Opinion|Space junk is a sustainability issueJust nowOpinion|Space junk is a sustainability issueJust now
- Opinion|South Sudan’s residents face the harsh realities of climate changeJust nowOpinion|South Sudan’s residents face the harsh realities of climate changeJust now
Related Knowledge Center: Climate economics
Climate change is now a driver of the world’s economy. The impact is profound:
- Catastrophic weather events — hurricanes, floods, droughts, high temperatures — are more frequent and more extreme. The cost can be measured in both the initial damage caused and the longer-term impact on the economy.
- Vulnerable communities are increasing climate-related investments, hardening infrastructure and taking other protective measures.
- Investment in carbon capture and storage technologies is increasingly rapidly.
- Governments are making investments and crafting regulations to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
On top of all of this is the cost of uncertainty. As the Fourth National Climate Assessment, released in 2018 by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, says, “The assumption that current and future climate conditions will resemble the recent past is no longer valid.”