Fiji was amongst the 175 countries that have signed the Paris climate agreement at the United Nations in New York.
A record for a one-day signing of an international accord.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama told the world leaders at the ceremony to help the Pacific adapt to the sea level rises and extreme weather events associated with climate change.
” I also make a heartfelt plea to you all on behalf of the Fijian people and the citizens of small and vulnerable developing states everywhere. We desperately need you to side with us not only to arrest the current state of global warming but to help us adapt to the sea level rises and extreme weather events associated with climate change. Do not abandon us to the terrible fate that awaits us through no fault of our own. The very real prospect that a single climatic event can destroy all the progress we are making to build strong economies and improve the lives of our people.
In Fiji’s case, we were fortunate this time that Winston cut a swathe through only part of the country, sparing our main tourism areas and our principal source of revenue. But it is only a matter of time before the destructive winds and flooding return. And were a cyclone to score a direct hit on the whole of Fiji, all that we have worked so hard to achieve could be lost within hours. A setback taking many years to reverse. A setback that would give us little or no chance of being able to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. ” said Bainimarama.
This historic signing ceremony comes four months after the hard-won deal was clinched in Paris and marks the first step toward binding countries to the promises they made to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
“What we agreed to achieve together in Paris is a positive first step. But it is not enough. We are alarmed to hear the scientists tell us that capping global warming at 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels will not save us. So I also appeal to you to make this merely the beginning of a process of deeper cuts in carbon emissions. We in the Pacific are seeking a new cap of 1.5 degrees Celsius as part of our Suva Declaration at the last gathering of the Pacific Islands Development Forum in the Fijian capital. Even this may not be enough given some of the more dire scientific warnings. But we commend the Suva Declaration to you all as a vital next step for the global community as we confront the biggest challenge of our time.” said Bainimarama