West Africa: Cop 31 - West Africa's Climate Plans Put a Price On Ruined Roads and Crops - How to Add Invisible Losses
[The Conversation Africa] When a flood destroys a road, government officials can estimate the cost of rebuilding it. When drought ruins a harvest, lost income can be calculated. But how should a country record or measure the loss of a sacred place? Or the emotional strain that people experience when they are displaced from their homes by a climate-related disaster, the breakdown of community…
The article discusses the challenges in measuring and addressing the loss and damage caused by climate change in West Africa, particularly in the absence of a clear framework for assessing intangible losses such as those to culture, mental health, and community bonds. The research conducted by climate governance researchers shows that while the five countries in the region have climate plans that recognize the cost of infrastructure and livelihood damage, they often overlook the less visible impacts of climate disasters.
The article argues that recognizing these less visible losses is crucial for supporting better-informed decisions and providing appropriate assistance to affected communities. It concludes that governments need to clarify responsibilities for assessing losses, coordinating assistance, and securing financing to repair damage, thus moving from repairing damaged places towards restoring lives with dignity.
Brief written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
