Logically, the frequency of occurrences of tropical cyclones (typhoons) or unexpected weather during the last quarter of each year would have accelerated some resolution of issues in the climate cauldron, especially loss and damage during UN-sponsored climate talks. Tropical cyclone Koppu (Lando) slammed the island nation Philippines just a day before the Bonn Climate Change Conference (October 19-23). Strom Patricia, the strongest hurricane ever recorded at sea, though it receded on landfall, could have brought huge losses in Mexico a day after the Conference.
Global climate politics is finally at home. The much-controversial Environmental Conservation Levy Bill passed without a debate in the Sri Lanka Parliament on April 9, 2008. According to Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka, the Bill is based on the ‘polluter pays principle’. While the tax itself is not justified in the Bill, the question remains: why is the levy charged for electronic items, phone bills, and electricity bills for the climate adaptation Fund?