The monsoonThe period of heavy rain during the summer in warm Asian countries. is usually a cause for celebration. Every year, at the end of summer, South Asia experiences weeks of heavy rainfall. The sweltering temperature cools. Dry, dusty landscapes turn a lush green. Crops begin to grow, bringing food for the year ahead.

This year in PakistanA country in South Asia with a population of 242 million, making it the fifth-most populated country. , however, the monsoon became a monstrosity. Rain fell at a record rate. Rivers overflowed. Lakes burst their banks. Bridges collapsed. A full third of the country was submerged underwater. 

Rising temperatures are to blame. Warmer air can hold more moisture, meaning that more rain falls from the clouds. And the heat also caused the country's glaciersA slowly moving mass of ice formed by snow building up on mountains. to melt.¹

So far, 2022 has been a year of climate chaos, from droughtA time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry. in the UK to deadly hail in Spain. But the suffering in Pakistan is on another level. As many as 33 million people have been affected, and 1.2 million homes destroyed. To date, 1,343 lives have been lost. A poorer country has borne the brunt of climate change. 

Many believe that this is deeply unfair. The vast majority of CO2Carbon dioxide. emissions are produced by rich countries. Pakistan is home to almost 3% of the global population but produces less than 1% of the emissions. As the country's climate minister Sherry Rahman says: "Richer countries have got rich on the back of fossil fuels... and have been burning their way to kingdom come."

About 92% of all CO2 ever emitted has come from the global northRefers to the rich, powerful and technologically advanced nations mostly located in the northern hemisphere. , and only 8% from Africa, Asia and Latin American combined. On a person-by-person level, the differences are even starker. In a single year, the average Nigerian produces less than a ton of CO2, an average Indian about two. By contrast, a German produces 10 and an American 17. 

Some believe that developed countries owe developing nations some sort of compensation. Rich governments could pick up the bill for rebuilding. They could pay for the infrastructureThe basic systems and services that a country needs to keep it going. to prevent them. Or they could be asked to pay reparationsProviding payment to make amends for a wrongdoing. for the long-term damage their activities have caused. 

Others disagree. To punish whole countries is unfair. The richest 1% in the world pollute more than the poorest 50%. It is these ultra-wealthy who should be taxed.

Each situation has its own complexities. Climate change caused the floods in Pakistan. But local policies are also a problem. Pakistan faced a devastating monsoon in 2010. In the years since, many measures could have been taken to defend against another. But they were not. As Arifa Noor writes in Dawn: "Climate change is also turning into an excuse."  

Besides, compensation is just sticking a bandage over the wound. Rich countries will keep on polluting. Some think we must tackle the problem at the root. As political economist Keston Perry says: "We have to have much more long term conversations around the economic system... that has resulted in these kinds of disasters." Without that, nothing will change. 

Yes: The numbers speak for themselves. The developed world is guilty of leading everyone to climate armageddonAnother name for the world's end. It originally described the location of a battle during the Biblical apocalypse.. It is only fair that they pay reparations to the innocents they have dragged down with them.

No: Normal people in rich countries often have little choice over the way they consume the fuel that is essential to survive. The real punishment should be saved for the energy firms that control the supply. 

Or... The idea of paying back suggests that climate change is a normal problem that will go away with enough money. But it is not. It is much worse than that - and full global cooperation is needed.