Yes it's exactly a reference to current floods and climate extreme events. It's a bleak reminder that we won't face the climate crisis equally, and that the one who are causing the most environmental damage are the ones who won't face any of it's consequences.
I don't really get the picture. Is the steps the opportunitys given by money? I guess it's drawn inconsistent, but I thought the water that's diverted from the rich flows down to the poor.
Is the parent comment bullshit cause it implies not everyone can be at the top of the stairs, only be dragged down the stairs? (Meaning the poor people won't benefit from rich people being prevented from being billionaires or something?)