And it argues that everybody, rich and poor, should have an equal right to pollute the atmosphere. But poor people in poor countries suffer first and worst from extreme weather conditions linked to climate change. To suggest that natural disasters, like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and tropical storms are caused by energy use in the US is ludicrous. The report contrasts the monetary debts owed by developing countries to their wealthy creditors with the rich world's climate debt. It says the poorest states are owed up to three times as much in carbon credits as they owe in dollars.
Some researchers still doubt that human activities are inducing rapid climate change.
They highlight the inconsistencies between the temperature records taken at the Earth's surface, which shows rapid warming over the last two decades, and the data produced by satellite and balloon studies. Climate models generally predict that temperatures should increase in the upper air as well as at the surface if increased concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing the warming seen there. The Red Cross is trying to move with the fashion.