‘Declaration of War’: Pacific Islands break promises to COP26 | Weather Problems

The United Nations COP26 Climate Change conference held in Glasgow this month was cited as the last chance to save the future of life on earth by ensuring that the temperature does not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

Panali known promises participating countries to improve the use of coal and fossil fuels, curb deforestation and encourage conversion to greenhouse gas emissions.

But for many Pacific Islanders, the conference failed to take action to ensure warming and justice in countries that are at the highest risk of climate change.

“Glasgow missed a 1.5-degree goal. It was the Pacific’s hope that this would be a safe haven in Glasgow,” Satyendra Prasad, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, told Al Jazeera. “We are now relying on larger emitters to provide more gas.

Up to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) can only be achieved if global warming is reduced to net zero by 2050, UN climate scientists say.

“For anyone in the world who is still listening in the Pacific, let me remind you that 1.5 is the ultimate tolerance that the Pacific can offer in the world,” added Prasad. “Furthermore, you are calling on their leaders to sign the right to be like the rest of the world. Losing 1.5 is a declaration of war on the Pacific Governments, and declaring war on our territories and our people. It is an easy time.”

In July, three months before the conference was to begin, Pacific Island leaders participated in the first Pacific-UK High Level Climate Dialogue with the conference President, Alok Sharma. They demanded that global warming should reduce global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2025 – in their view, by the end of the intervening years – and for developed countries to meet the 2009 promise of $ 100bn. annually by providing funding for climate change mitigation and climate change in high-risk countries.

To set an example, the parties at the conference faced the challenge of burning oil and a group of 190 countries, regions, and organizations agreeing to accelerate the continuous transformation of coal power.

Another agreement highlighted the commitment of more than 100 countries to stop and rehabilitate deforestation and deforestation by the year 2030. Governments and car manufacturers, including Ford, General Motors, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, have also promised zero-emission cars are affordable and affordable. Road transport takes up 10 percent of global warming air. Countries, including Denmark, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand, have also pledged to reduce emissions by investing in low-cost, air-free flights.

“We have to thank the great emitters especially for their commitment. Integrated activities across all sectors, from energy, transport, agriculture and shipping are essential. They have created and run companies and individuals to do more…. Seasonal performance is good business. I think Glasgow showed strongly, “Prasad said.

However, Ashwini Prabha-Leopold, chairman of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, told Al Jazeera that the agreement to ban coal use would not go far enough.

“After 30 years, governments have had the opportunity to speak openly about the problem of oil dependence on COP26, but have failed to develop a bold strategy for their results. gentle language that ultimately supports the demand for oil, ”said Prabha-Leopold.

Scientists estimate that the promises made in Glasgow have brought global temperatures to 2.4 degrees Celsius (4.3 degrees Fahrenheit).

The islanders believe that this could be a devastating blow to nations, such as Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“If we continue to heat beyond air temperatures as we see at the moment and the sea is rising. Our economy, especially fishing may be at risk. Coral outbreaks will continue and PNG will see an increase in flooding due to inclement weather,” Kisolel Posanau, Climate Research Officer at PNG National Weather Service in Port Moresby, told Al Jazeera.

Seasonal instability

Much of the anger and frustration that the people of the Pacific Islanders derive from the inequality of their problem. Although the Pacific Islands have only increased 0.03 percent of global warming, they are experiencing the daily effects of rising sea levels, rising tides, strong currents, and the destructive effects of hurricanes.

More than half of the Pacific Islands with a population of about 12 million live less than one mile (6 miles) offshore. Extreme weather and climate are preventing people from accessing food and clean water. And rising levels of acidity in the oceans could be detrimental to the fishery, a major source of income for the islanders, in terms of food, finances, and exports.

Posanau states: “PNG climate change has changed over the past decade, even over five years. “I work with weather events every day and I see this. Our rainy and summer seasons do not reach normal months, and there have been severe dengue fever, malaria, viral infections and even fever.”

The Pacific Ocean is also experiencing a storm, including hurricanes [File: Fiji Ministry of Information via Reuters]

A recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) this year stated that “there is no doubt that human activity is warming the air, sea and land” and is wreaking havoc on the world.

Many Pacific island nations say that the long-term promise of $ 100bn a year is crucial to its sustainability.

“The reality is that rich countries have failed to raise $ 100bn by 2020. We have received a commitment to renew the commitment over the next five years with $ 100bn to be delivered by 2023…. “The front line should have a 10 per cent volunteer window. Fiji has also said that a large portion of climate support for small countries in the future should be a relief, not a debt,” said Prasad of Fiji.

Providing funding for climate change and climate change is also important for many people in the area.

“The loss and destruction of life and death in the Pacific region and the political will of world leaders should help the Pacific Islanders because they have already lost everything due to climate change. The failure of world leaders to address this important role is frustrating and frustrating. unpleasant, “Tanya Afu, a climate activist in the Solomon Islands, told Al Jazeera.

Reflecting on the results of Glasgow, Prasad states: “Has the world found a way to the end of the oil-burning era? No. No…. It is hoped, however, that the country will be able to earn 1.5 degrees by the time its leaders meet in Egypt. ”

The next climate summit will be held at the Egyptian resort in Sharm al-Sheikh a year later.