Nepal floods obliterate final excuses for climate inaction

A catastrophic landslide in Nepal, triggered by a massive avalanche, has exposed the brutal reality of climate change's human toll. The disaster, which occurred in late August, saw 110 million cubic meters of rock and ice plummet from the Langtang Lirung mountain, unleashing a deadly wall of freezing mud down the Trishuli River valley.

The catastrophe claimed over 1,400 lives and left around 5,700 people missing. This disaster is not merely a tragedy, but a stark warning of the consequences of inaction on global climate change. As world leaders convene for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the disaster brings the issue of climate reparations and accountability to the forefront.

Nepal is requesting an initial US$20 million from a fund to aid in the recovery process, but this pales in comparison to the estimated $4 billion to $5 billion needed. The disaster raises critical questions about who is responsible for the climate crisis and who should shoulder the burden of reparations for the damage caused. Scientists have found clear evidence of human-induced warming in the Himalayas, with temperatures rising by 2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, accelerating glacier melt and permafrost thaw.

Such extreme geological events are exceptionally rare, with a frequency of roughly once every 1,000 to 10,000 years. These findings underscore the binding obligations of states under international law to protect the climate system and take all necessary measures to prevent significant harm.