Good Morning Britain erupted into furious debate over climate change compensation during the live show on Tuesday morning.
The ITV morning programme was hosted by Ed Balls and Susanna Reid as they discussed the controversial issue of paying countries compensation for the damages inflicted by climate change.
Environmentalist Tom Burke and broadcaster Esther Krakue appeared in the studio to debate the issue and the conversation quickly descended into shouting as the pair strongly disagreed.
As the funding talks are on the agenda for COP27 in Egypt, Burke insisted vulnerable nations deserve the compensation and suggested the British public would be open to it.
He said: “They do it on television year after year, whenever it’s Sports Relief or Red Nose Day, the average Brit is asked to help poor people elsewhere in the world. Even though they haven’t had a pay rise in 10 years, they cough up that money.”
Interjecting, Krakue insisted they don’t do so ‘voluntarily’, before Burke cut in and said: “I don’t doubt the average Brit the way you do. I think the average Brit is a bit better than you are.”
The pair then began to shout over one another as Krakue demanded: “Are you going to commit your income – commit all of your money to this?
“Put your money where your mouth is and then tell the average Brit that’s having to pick between heating and eating.”
Host Ed then interjected at the argument, labelling it a ‘ridiculous’ proposition, as Krakue insisted it is not.
She continued: “How dare you tell the average Brit in a cost of living crisis to pay reparations. Who voted for this?”
Ed replied: “We’re not asking the British people to give away all their money,” to which Krakue said: “This is the disconnect between the environmental lobby and the average Brit.”
The bill for ‘loss and damage’ has proven to be one of the more controversial items on the United Nations COP27 summit agenda.
A sum of $1 trillion has been suggested as a global compensation total by the UN to pay for adaptive measures for poorer nations to cope with continuing environmental degradation.
As international leaders gather in Sharm el-Sheikh for the talks, Boris Johnson has said Britain should shy away from the payments to the countries most affected by climate change.
The comment could put him at odds with Rishi Sunak, who has expressed a reluctant willingness to discuss the issue which looks set to dominate the summit.
