In a creative demonstration of the Pacific Islands Forums theme Build Better Now, students and youth activists marched through the streets of Tonga in a celebration of resilience and culture.
Pacific leaders are currently in the Kingdom for the annual Pacific Islands Leaders Forum.
Inangaro Vakaafi, Pacific Climate Warriors Council Elder says, “Any rise in sea level threatens Niue’s underground fresh water supplies and any rise in ocean temperatures threatens the biodiversity of our oceans and the ability to sustain ourselves.
We’ve taken the initiative to protect over 40% of our waters under the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area, and the impacts of these marine heatwaves could jeopardise all of those efforts.”
A newly released report identified that accelerated sea level rise in the Pacific is alarmingly above the global average.
Joseph Sikulu, 350.org Pacific Managing Director says, “Receiving this report when we have leaders from the world’s third largest fossil fuel exporter on my home island is a painful irony.
The Pacific is taking the heat for a fossil fuel addiction the world over, and this Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting gives Australia the opportunity to signal the end of that addiction.
Australia doesn’t need a groundbreaking new declaration, Pacific leaders have already provided them with the Boe Declaration and the plans for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.
All they must do is follow the leadership shown by our islands and heed the alarm sounded by science. Commit to a fossil fuel phase out, not just of their own energy systems, but of their exports as well.”
