Attorney General Ryan Pinder.

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune journalist

[email protected]

Attorney General Ryan Pinder yesterday delivered oral arguments before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), highlighting the existential threat that climate change poses to small island nations like the Bahamas.

The ICJ has begun hearings on states’ legal obligations regarding climate change, marking a potentially important moment for global climate accountability. This initiative, led by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as the Bahamas, aims to clarify the responsibilities of States in mitigating climate change and combating its devastating effects on vulnerable countries.

Mr. Pinder cited the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which caused $3 billion in damage – 25% of the country’s GDP – and resulted in the displacement of thousands of people and significant loss of life .

During his speech, he described the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, highlighting the catastrophic impact on the Bahamas.

“This is the reality we face – a reality we did not create but which we are forced to endure due to the inaction of major polluters,” he said, calling on industrialized countries to take responsibility for their role in the climate crisis.

Mr Pinder highlighted the human cost of the climate crisis, while detailing how the 20ft storm surge from Dorian ravaged the islands, causing more than $3 billion in damage, displacing nearly 10,000 people and destroying thousands of homes.

His argument highlighted the urgent and disproportionate burden facing the Bahamas, where more than 80 percent of its land is less than 1.5 meters above sea level, making it exceptionally vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

“If we continue on our current path, my country will cease to exist,” warned Mr. Pinder, calling on industrialized countries to take responsibility for their historical and current contributions to climate change.

“Who will take my people when their country no longer exists? We’re not just talking about numbers or projections. We are talking about lives, cultures and histories that are at risk of being completely erased.

His speech outlined key legal principles, including the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities, arguing that major emitters of greenhouse gases must reduce their emissions and provide reparations for harm inflicted on vulnerable states.

Mr. Pinder called for decisive legal action, emphasizing that international law requires states to prevent environmental damage beyond their borders. He urged the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion reaffirming these principles and establishing a clear framework for liability and reparations.

“We are not just talking about numbers or projections,” concluded Mr. Pinder. “We are talking about lives, cultures and histories that are at risk of being completely erased. »