Feb
Island nations on the frontlines of climate change
The President was speaking at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit in India, which was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minsiter Dr. Manmohan Singh.
During the summit, President Michel repeated the call which small islands have consistently asked for; that atmospheric carbon dioxide should be capped at 350 parts per million of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and for the earth’s surface temperature increase to be kept within 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“We continue to repeat this call, because amidst all the debates, amidst all the polemics, we can’t change the facts. The facts tell us that climate change will delay our efforts at sustainable development. The facts indicate clearly climate change will affect our fisheries, our agriculture, our water resources, hence our ability to feed our people. And the facts tell us that climate change will inflict poverty and threaten our very existence as a nation. But we will always continue to fight for our right to exist because island nations are on the frontlines of climate change,” said President Michel.