Calls for rapid climate action

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10-year-old Epineri Lata takes a dip in the ocean to escape the incredible heat at his village of Yaro on the island of Kia that was ravaged by Category 5 tropical cyclone Yasa in December. The islanders of Kia have had to deal with two extreme climate events– rising sea levels and the powerful super storm that was Yasa. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

A group of former Pacific Island Country leaders are calling for “urgent and rapid action to ensure that the global temperature does not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels” because of the possible implications to vulnerable island states.

“The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) details a grim picture of the current and future impacts of rising temperatures, extreme events and sea-level rise,” said the Pacific Elders’ Voice.

In a statement directed to world leaders at the Conference of Parties in Glasgow, Scotland (COP26), they said “the G20 must commit to a New Marshall Plan for Climate Change Action”.

“This week’s UN Environment Program Emissions Gap report concludes that current climate commitments are not ambitious enough and will only limit global warming by 2.7 degrees Celcius this century.

“These developments threaten the existence of our low-lying islands and coastal communities.

“Nothing less than the future of our nations is at stake.”

The Pacific Elders Voice includes Hilde Heine — former President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Thomas “Tommy” Remengesau Jr — former President of Palau, Anote Tong — former President of the Republic of Kiribati, Enele Sopoaga — former Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Dame Meg Taylor — former secretary-general of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and Robert Underwood — former Member of United States Congress and president of the University of Guam.

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