Joshua Omonuk retweetledi
Is Climate Change the Most Proximate Problem to the Commonwealth? Absolutely, Yes! And this is why you should vote for me for Vice Chairperson- Policy & Advocacy @ComSecYouth @commonwealthsec @cyctimetotalk
Over the past few days, many of you have reached out, asking, “Is climate change really the most pressing issue facing the Commonwealth?” And my answer remains clear: absolutely, yes!
The truth is, the vast majority of Commonwealth countries are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change. With 56 member countries spanning Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Europe, more than 60% of the Commonwealth population lives in climate-vulnerable nations. From rising sea levels to devastating droughts and hurricanes, climate change is hitting us hard—especially in regions that have contributed the least to the problem.
Let’s start with the Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which make up about 31 of the member countries. Places like Jamaica, Maldives, and Kiribati are on the frontline of climate impacts. Rising sea levels threaten their very existence, with predictions that some could be submerged in just a few decades.
These islands face increasingly severe tropical storms and flooding, which damage homes, wipe out infrastructure, and cripple economies that are highly dependent on tourism and agriculture. The reality is stark: climate change is no longer a distant problem for these nations—it’s a daily, lived experience. According to the IPCC, small island states could experience up to 70% loss in agricultural productivity by 2050 if immediate action is not taken.
Africa is home to 21 Commonwealth nations, many of which are already grappling with extreme climate challenges. From prolonged droughts in Kenya and Uganda to devastating floods in Mozambique and Malawi, climate change is exacerbating food insecurity, water shortages, and migration crises.
Take Uganda, for instance. As a nation heavily reliant on agriculture, 72% of the population works in farming, yet climate variability has made this sector increasingly vulnerable. Droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns have led to crop failures and livestock deaths, further entrenching poverty in rural communities.
It’s no wonder that the World Bank lists Uganda among the countries most at risk from climate-induced food shortages.
Climate change is also affecting indigenous communities across the Commonwealth, from the Maasai people in Kenyato the First Nations in Canada. For these communities, the land and environment aren’t just resources—they are deeply intertwined with their cultural heritage and identity.
Yet, as temperatures rise and ecosystems change, these indigenous groups are losing access to traditional food sources, medicinal plants, and natural resources that they have relied on for centuries.
In Australia, where 500,000 indigenous people live, hotter temperatures and increased wildfires are destroying sacred lands. Indigenous knowledge, which has long played a role in sustainable land management, is being sidelined as their lands are encroached upon by modern industries that contribute to climate destruction. It’s a double blow to these communities—losing both their homes and their traditions.
The Commonwealth nations of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are no strangers to the harsh realities of climate change. Intense heatwaves, erratic monsoons, and floods have become the new normal.
For instance, in India, climate-induced heatwaves killed over 6,000 people between 2010 and 2020. And these heatwaves are only becoming more frequent and intense.
Bangladesh, a low-lying country, is grappling with the rising waters of the Bay of Bengal. It's estimated that 17% of the population could be displaced by 2050 due to climate-induced flooding. For these nations, climate change is not an abstract future threat—it is a present crisis that is forcing communities to relocate, lose livelihoods.
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