Now available! Powerful new short video on loss and damage released in time for COP29
We are pleased to announce the release of a powerful new video titled Coming Together for Climate Justice on Loss and Damage. This short video dives into the urgent and pressing issue of Loss and Damage funding for vulnerable communities in the Global South, who are experiencing the brunt of climate change’s impacts.
Its release is timed for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, November 11-22.
The video reveals that an average of 189 million people per year have been affected by extreme weather events since 1991, costing an astounding $16 million per hour in damages. These realities are vividly illustrated through personal accounts from ecumenical voices, who share stories of devastation, cultural loss, and the struggle for funding to address these crises.
In 2023, a global Loss and Damage Fund was established at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). The Fund is the result of years of advocacy by communities most impacted by climate change, including ecumenical partners from the Global North and those more responsible to hear their call and recognize the costs of climate change. This fund aims to assist countries that lack the financial resources to recover from climate-induced disasters, a commitment that is long overdue. Canada promised $16 million to the establishment of the fund. However, the video emphasizes that wealthy nations’ commitments are woefully inadequate.
The video calls for accountability and advocacy from all corners of society, including faith communities that have long championed the rights of those most affected. It emphasizes the need for new and additional funding—grants rather than loans—to ensure that countries in the Global South can rebuild without additional crippling debt.
The video also shines a light on the inspiring role of youth, particularly those who are Indigenous, in the climate movement. Their voices are crucial in advocating for a sustainable and just future, reminding us that we are all part of one human community with a shared responsibility to care for our planet.
The video is co-produced by ACT Alliance – Canada Forum, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, KAIROS Canada, Presbyterian World Service and Development, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, the United Church of Canada and World Renew.
Coming Together for Climate Justice on Loss and Damage urges viewers to use their voices to support vulnerable communities and ensure that climate justice prevails.
Watch the video and share it with members of your family, church, and wider community. Together, we can create a more equitable future for all. Learn more and take action here: Ecological Justice: Climate Finance.
