1:11 PM |
Pacific Scoop: The global 'green revolution' and new sustainable development models have offered hope for the Pacific and coping with climate change will depend on their success, says Niue Premier Toke Talagi. The emerging green revolution and new sustainable developments models and practices is an acknowledgement of this new phenomena and its success will determine our worldwide success in keeping our climate changes to sustainable levels in both the short and long term. "The changes that have occurred to date have already made an impact and will continue to do so," he told the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable at the opening in Alofi this week. Niue Premier Toke Tulagi opens the Pacific Clmate Change Roundtable in Alofi. Photo: SPREP "Countries like Kiribati, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea and all low-lying islands and areas susceptible to rising sea levels are already impacted by the changes to our climate." He pointed to how the initial response of building sea walls in Kiribati had not been successful and many islands were no longer able to "maintain acceptable standards". "New infrastructure needs to be built and the options are very expensive and will involve a mix of solutions appropriate to the particular situation," he said. Niue had been actively responding to environmental organisations, institutions and donors as well as trying desperately to formulate a credible climate change policy framework and strategies to achieve these goals and objectives. 'Mobilising resources' With the concern of Pacific countries being the most vulnerable on earth to the impacts of climate change, more than 100 global delegates have gathered for the four-day conference to address the urgent need to accelerate climate change funding. At the opening ceremony, a minute of silence was held in respect and memory of those from Christchurch, New Zealand, and Japan who have perished and survived these huge tragedies. "The tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan, following so closely after the Christchurch earthquake remind us again of the power of nature and the vulnerability of Pacific nations to climate change and to natural disasters," said David Sheppard, director of the Apia-based Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). "The impacts of cyclone Heta in Niue in 2004 further underline this vulnerability," The issue of climate finance had been repeatedly emphasised by Pacific leaders, and this was reflected in the theme for the roundtable. "We all recognise that there must be a quantum leap in funding for climate change in the countries of our region, in particular for focused adaptation and mitigation programmes," he said. "We greatly appreciate commitments made under the Copenhagen Accord to provide US$100 billion a year by 2020 to support climate change efforts by developing countries." 'Green revolution' vital key to Pacific climate change survival, says Talagi
Report – By the Pacific Media Centre news desk
The climate change roundtable has the theme "Mobilising climate change resources for the Pacific".
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