Pacific Islands Predicted to be First Affected by Climate Change Featured
Tuvalu Prime Minister and AOSIS Chair Enele Sopoaga has called for coal mining to be shut down (Radio Australia's Photo)
8 September, 2015. The leaders of some of the world's smallest nations have called for coal mining — one of Australia's biggest industries — to be shut down, in a bid to save their countries from the effects of climate change.
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), which includes Pacific Ocean countries like Tuvalu and Palau, said global warming was already harming their people.
The AOSIS said it wanted a moratorium on new coal mines, but was realistic about its chances of convincing Australia to give up its lucrative fossil fuel assets.
Tuvalu prime minister Enele Sopoaga is the new chair of the group. "We're simply seeking for the rights of small island states to survive," he said. "We feel our security is compromised; survival of the people of the Pacific is compromised."
The leaders of nations like Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Palau and Nauru held a closed session for the first time ahead of this week's Pacific Islands Forum, which includes large countries like Australia.
Palau president Tommy Remengesau said: "In many cases the issues of the vulnerable states do not necessarily get the necessary focus or attention that should be there." Pacific Islands predicted to be first affected by climate change.
The low-lying island nations of the Pacific emit a relatively small amount of carbon, but are predicted to be the first affected by sea-level rise and extreme weather events caused by global warming.
The Pacific Island leaders want their wishes known before the United Nations climate change conference in Paris in November, where countries will try to reach a legally binding agreement to reduce carbon emissions.
"This is the last turn of events before the world decides on an agreement that should ensure the security and survival of the people — protection and survival of the people," Mr Sopoaga said.
The leaders want carbon emissions capped at a level that will stop global average temperatures rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. They also want to be able to claim compensation for the loss and damage that it is predicted their countries will suffer.
But the Pacific Island nations know another climate goal to see developed countries shift to renewable energy and away from fossil fuels will not be easily achieved, especially because powerful countries like Australia would have to agree to stop building new coal mines.
"Small island states have been calling for shift to renewable energy, to decarbonise the world economy if you wish, and that's why I think that call by [AOSIS] leaders, again, is not unreasonable," Mr Sopoaga said.
Source: Radio Australia
