Lack Of Commitment From Carbon Emitters Annoys PM
Global sea level rise accelerated since 2013 to a new high in 2021, with continued ocean warming and ocean acidification.
Wednesday 03 November 2021 | 14:30
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, with Fijian High Commissioner to the UK Jitoko Tikolevu (left), and Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Yogesh Karan in Glasgow. Photo: Rosi Doviverata
Science can not be spun to suit the agenda of the selfish and the coalition of carbon addicts.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in his national statement during the Leaders’ Summit was blunt and at the same time seemed annoyed by the lack of commitment and action by big carbon emitters.
“We are losing the race to net-zero to a coalition of carbon addicts who would rather fight for coal than for a future of good jobs and innovative industries created by climate ambition.
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“But we cannot let them write out the urgency of accelerating action. Clean coal, responsible natural gas, and ethical oil are all figments of the selfish mind. No matter what they call them, carbon emissions are wrecking the climate. There’s nothing clean, natural or ethical about it.”
The most recent World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) report released over the weekend shows that the past seven years are on track to be the seven warmest on record. This is based on data for the first nine months of 2021.
A temporary cooling “La Niña” event early in the year means that 2021 is expected to be “only” the fifth to seventh warmest year on record. But this does not negate or reverse the long-term trend of rising temperatures, the report said.
Global sea level rise accelerated since 2013 to a new high in 2021, with continued ocean warming and ocean acidification.
Mr Bainimarama said no city, no community, and no ecosystem will be spared from the reckoning that lies beyond 1.5 degrees of warming, including our oceans, the lungs of the planet.
“We have fallen so far off course that only bold and courageous action will suffice. 2060 is too late.
“Empty promises of mid-century ambition are not enough. All high-emitting countries must halve global emissions by 2030. The G20 nations who are prepared to make those commitments must demand the same from others.
“We have moral authority, you have a moral obligation. Together, our coalition of the willing can keep 1.5 alive, keep low-lying island nations above water, keep erratic and severe weather from devastating us all, and keep the trust between nations so that we can keep faith that our children and grand-children will have a future.”
Mr Bainimarama said this included making good on the promise of $100 billion in climate finance.
Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj
