**Fatshimetrie: Activists demand urgent action at COP29 summit in Baku**
The COP29 summit in Baku saw an unprecedented mobilization of activists from the Global South to demand that richer nations provide billions of dollars to help less fortunate countries cope with the devastating effects of climate change.
The protesters called for unity as environment ministers try to reach a crucial financial deal at the summit.
Aishwarya Visvanathan, an activist with the Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development, said: “I am thinking especially of the ministers from the Global South; they need to stand together and not agree to a deal that is harmful. They need to stand together and not approve a deal that will hurt the Global South more than it should.” »
Activists are also calling for a transition away from fossil fuels, due to their devastating impact on the environment.
Kjell Kühne, a member of the Leave It in the Ground Initiative (LINGO), said: “This perfectly symbolises the problem that is happening around the world, that the fossil fuel industry is intruding into very vulnerable areas that should be protected, but are not. We are calling on countries, as they develop their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to include measures to move away from fossil fuels, by stopping drilling and building coal mines in protected areas.”
The most vulnerable countries estimate that they need more than $1 trillion to address the damage caused by climate change, a sum far below what wealthier countries are willing to pay.
In conclusion, it is imperative that concrete and urgent measures are taken at COP29 to respond to the just and necessary demands of the countries of the South, and to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. Only concerted actions and global commitment will enable us to meet this crucial challenge.