By Zoila Palma: Leaders of small island nations are calling for urgent global action to address climate change, warning that rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events threaten the survival of their countries.
The appeal was made Thursday during the United Nations climate talks in Antalya, Turkey, where world leaders are discussing ways to reduce emissions and support vulnerable nations.
Seychelles Vice President Alix Sebastien Pillay said climate change is already causing millions of dollars in damage to his country, a 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, despite its minimal contribution to global warming. He urged governments to move beyond discussions and strengthen funding mechanisms to help vulnerable countries recover from climate-related disasters without accumulating unsustainable debt.
A report released during the conference by the independent Climate Action Tracker warned that global progress in reducing warming has stalled over the past five years. It found that even if countries fulfill their existing climate commitments, global temperatures could rise by approximately 2.6 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, exceeding the 1.5-degree target established under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Leaders from vulnerable countries also highlighted the growing financial and human costs of climate disasters. Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi warned that unusually high Pacific Ocean temperatures signal worsening conditions, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for greater international cooperation and financing, noting that no country can confront the climate crisis alone. Climate activist Greta Thunberg also criticized world leaders for failing to take sufficient action.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom announced the appointment of Madeleine Alessandri as its first special envoy for climate security risks, citing concerns that environmental damage could threaten food supplies, increase migration and contribute to conflict.
The post International News: Small Island nations demand urgent Climate action at UN summit appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Leaders of small island nations are calling for urgent global action to address climate change, warning that rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events threaten the survival of their countries. The appeal was made Thursday during the United Nations climate talks in Antalya, Turkey, where world leaders are discussing ways to
The post International News: Small Island nations demand urgent Climate action at UN summit appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.