Global solidarity needed at Cancun climate change talks

Ambassador Elisaia Feturi with fellow delegate

“Climate change is a global threat and knows no boundaries. We are all part of a global family and we need solidarity amongst all negotiating groups, as it’s a common problem that can only be approached from a common perspective.” - Ambassador Elisaia Feturi, Samoa's Ambassador to the United Nations

Cancun, Mexico - Global solidarity is being asked of negotiators this week at the climate change talks in Cancun.

As the world comes together for the UN Climate Change talks in Cancun, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) remain firm in their commitment to a global agreement bringing deeper emission cuts.

The Pacific island countries have joined forces with other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as a negotiating body under the climate change convention.

AOSIS has been consistent in their call for stabilising temperature levels at 1.5 degrees Celsius, coining the slogan – “1.5 to stay alive”. Ambassador Elisaia Feturi, the Ambassador from Samoa to the United Nations, made a plea for global solidarity in Cancun, Mexico this week.

“Climate change is a global threat and knows no boundaries. We are all part of a global family and we need solidarity amongst all negotiating groups, as it’s a common problem that can only be approached from a common perspective.”

The Pacific islands are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, however they have also contributed the very least to the problem. Over the next two weeks in Cancun at the climate change talks, the Pacific is trying to ensure the survival of future generations. Working in a block with AOSIS they are asking countries to establish policies that will lower the rate of greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming.

In order to live with the effect of climate change due to global warming form historical greenhouse gas emissions, countries are already learning to adapt. Inability to grow root crops due to saltwater intrusion, extreme weather events and droughts are part and parcel of the climate change impacts the Pacific is experiencing. Adapting to live with these effects is becoming a way of life for the Pacific. Science says that unless the greenhouse gas emissions are lowered, these impacts will only grow worse.

“I think when some people are talking about climate change, unfortunately most of them think it is a future event and hasn’t happened yet, but for us – we are talking about impacts that are already happening,” said Ambassador Feturi.

“We need to stress the urgency of the situation, the global community needs to understand the urgency of our situation and work hand in hand as one to combat climate change.”