Paying the price of climate change

Typhoon Ruby has put in sharp focus the seemingly endless efforts to stem global warming. Climate experts are meeting in Lima, Peru, this week to hammer out the framework of an agreement for a substantial cut in greenhouse gas emissions. The accord will be presented to a climate change summit in Paris a year from now.

Among the observers at the Lima conference is Voltaire Alferez, who represents Aksyon Klima, a Philippine-based NGO. “As we speak, people are paying for our leaders’ lethargy with their lives and livelihoods,” Mr. Alferez eloquently declared, referring to the destruction Ruby is inflicting as it cuts across the Philippines.