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If an atoll sinks, the whole world sinks says UNSG

May 18, 2019 8:51 am

UNSG Antonio Guterres meets with young climate activists in Albert Park, Suva.

It’s shameful that some countries continue to increase their carbon emissions despite the agreements in Paris in 2015.

These were the words of the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres who departs Fiji today to conclude his Pacific mission in Vanuatu.

The UNSG says the science is clear and that if we do not now reverse the effects of climate change, the world will be worse off and in the Pacific, some countries will be non-existent.

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“We cannot tolerate the possibility of having an increase of temperatures to above one point five degrees Celsius in the end of the century. Even 1.5 degrees Celsius will mean a lot of problems to everybody but above that level will face catastrophic consequences for the planet. And it is not only the possibility of some atolls in the Pacific sinking because let’s be clear if an atoll in the Pacific sinks, it means the planet will be sinking.”

The head of the UN is visiting the Pacific for the first time highlighting the global crisis that is climate change.

In a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, the UNSG agreed that climate change is the battle of our lives.

In September, the UN will hold a climate action summit which is expected to be a game changer.

Among the initiatives being touted is the ban of coal plants from 2020, reviewing the financial commitments of developed countries to support mitigation and adaptation.

There is also the push to ensure the financial mechanisms in place to assist those countries at the forefront of climate change are made more accessible.