COP18 in Focus: There Is Only One Earth, Recognizing the Importance of Life

Climate change is imminent. Countries around the world have already paid enormous human and economic costs, and those who suffer most are the poorest countries, which can barely afford the price of climate disasters. If people at this stage do not take decisive action to mitigate and try to improve the extent of climate change, these costs will increase dramatically.

Those leaders who care only about their own interests, consolidate power, and are short-sighted are a major cause hindering global health, security, peace, and prosperity; in upholding people's future and the ideal of the land we love, we seek only policies that produce immediate results; and we strive to counter the petrochemical industry through the power of grassroots networking.

For the sake of justice for us and for future generations, governments must take responsibility for sound crisis management, including freedom from fear of climate change and the right to free development.

The DARA Climate Vulnerability Monitor (DARA Climate Vulnerability Monitor), a report commissioned by 20 governments, points out: global annual spending related to climate change currently stands at 1.2 trillion USD (a yearly gap of 1.6%, arising from economic recession or stable growth); in addition, about 400,000 people die each year from related disasters caused by climate change.

Researchers estimate that the total spending by countries worldwide in response to climate change and air pollution will rise to 3.2% of global GDP by 2030, with the least developed countries bearing the brunt, suffering losses of up to 11% of GDP.

In addition, it is estimated that before 2030, the cumulative number of deaths from climate change will reach 100 million, of which 90% will be people from developing countries.

For more COP18 information, stay tuned to the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition COP18 section