‘Declaration of War’: Pacific Islands Explode COP26 Commitments | Climate Crisis News

The United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this month saw it as the last chance to save the future of terrestrial life, ensuring global warming exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit).

They were there significant commitments Participating nations are pushing back the use of coal and fossil fuels, halting deforestation and encouraging them to switch to zero-emission modes of transportation.

But for many Pacific islands, the summit failed in the decisive action needed to ensure global warming and denied justice to the nations most vulnerable to climate-induced poverty.

“Glasgow lost the 1.5-degree target. It was hoped in the Pacific that this would be firmly and irreversibly secured in Glasgow, ”Satyendra Prasad, Fiji’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, told Al Jazeera. “We are now dependent on large emitters to offer deeper emission reductions. But the second part of the equation is more important. These countries have fewer and fewer years to achieve the reductions before they finally lose 1.5 degrees. ”

The 1.5 degree Celsius (2.7 degree Fahrenheit) threshold can only be achieved if global carbon emissions are reduced. net zero by 2050, UN climate scientists have said.

“To anyone in the world who is still listening to the Pacific, let me remind you that 1.5 Pacific is the last possible commitment that can be offered to the world,” Prasad added. “In addition, you call on their leaders to remove the right to exist as a shared country on our planet. 1.5 Loss is a declaration of war on Pacific Governments, a declaration of war on our communities and our peoples. It’s so simple – that’s the point.”

In July, three months before the summit opened, leaders from the Pacific Islands attended a preliminary meeting for the Pacific and UK Climate Dialogue with Conference President Alok Sharma. The nation’s emissions reduction targets demanded that the 2025 global temperature rise be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius (they believe the mid-century deadline is too late) and that developed nations meet their $ 100,000 billion commitment in 2009. in financing climate mitigation and adaptation in weaker countries.

By setting a precedent, the parties at the summit addressed the issue fossil fuels A group of 190 nations, regions and organizations agreed to accelerate the transition from coal-fired generation to uninterrupted generation.

Another treaty set out a commitment to stop more than 100 nations reverse forest destruction and land degradation By 2030. Governments and car manufacturers, including Ford, General Motors, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, pledged to make zero-emission vehicles more affordable and affordable. Road transport accounts for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Countries such as Denmark, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand vowed to reduce aircraft emissions and invest in the development of low-carbon and zero-carbon aircraft.

“We have to thank the big broadcasters, especially for their important commitments. Significant are the combined actions of all sectors, energy, transport, agriculture and shipbuilding. They will shape and encourage industry and people to do more … Climate action is good business. I think Glasgow proved that by force, ”Prasad said.

However, Ashwini Prabha-Leopold, chairman of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network Council, told Al Jazeera that the agreement to gradually reduce coal use is not far enough.

“After 30 years, governments finally wanted to speak clearly about the problem of fossil fuel dependence at COP26, but did not codify a bold solution in the final results. The future COPS will have to build on the small steps taken in the Glasgow agreements and ultimately go beyond the lukewarm language that responds to the interests of fossil fuels, ”Prabha-Leopold said.

The collective commitments made by scientists in Glasgow would lead to a rise in global temperature of 2.4 degrees Celsius (4.3 degrees Fahrenheit).

The islanders believe this would be devastating for countries such as Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“We would continue to have warmer-than-normal air temperatures as we see them at the moment and sea levels are rising. Our economy, especially the fishing industry, could be at risk. Coral bleaching will rise and PNG will increase flooding as a result of extreme weather.” said Al Jazeera Kisolel Posanau, head of climate research at the PNG National Weather Service in Port Moresby.

Climate inequality

Much of the anger and frustration expressed by the Pacific Islands stems from the inadequacy of their situation. Although the Pacific Islands region contributes only 0.03 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, they face the daily reality of rising sea levels, rising tides, tidal kings and the usual destruction caused by cyclones.

More than half of the Pacific Islander’s population lives about 12 million people less than a kilometer (0.6 miles) from the sea. Extreme climates and weather are affecting people’s food and access to fresh water. And it is likely that the acidity of the ocean will affect fishing, a critical industry in which the islands are dependent on food, income, and domestic exports.

“PNG’s weather and climate have changed over the last ten years, as well as five years,” Posanau said. “I work with climate data every day and I see that trend. Our wet and dry seasons are no longer falling during the normal transition months, and there have also been major cases of dengue fever, malaria, viral infections and heat rash. ”

It is also seeing wilder storms in the Pacific, including more cyclones [File: Fiji Ministry of Information via Reuters]

The latest report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) this year concluded that “there is no doubt that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land” and that it is affecting the extreme weather we are experiencing everywhere in the world.

Many Pacific island nations say a long-standing commitment to finance a $ 100,000 billion climate every year is therefore key to building resilience.

“The bottom line is that the rich world has not been able to guarantee $ 100 billion by 2020. We are pleased to reap the commitment over the next five years with $ 100 billion by 2023 … Fiji has strongly proposed that the post-2025 package should be $ 750 billion as floor small states should have a 10 per cent funding window, and Fiji also said that the largest proportion of climate finance for small states on the front line should be in the form of subsidies, not loans, ”said Prasad of Fiji.

Providing funding for climate-related losses and damage is also a demand of many in the region.

“Loss and damage are life and death in the Pacific region and the political will of world leaders is needed to help the Pacific island countries because they are already losing everything due to the devastating effects of climate change. Al Jazeera Tanya Afu Solomon Islands climate activists.

Reflecting on the results in Glasgow, Prasad said: “Did the world ensure a path to the end of the fossil fuel era? No. Did the world ensure lively and concentrated climate action on the scale needed in this decade? No. Hala However, there is hope for the world 1.5 he can be sure of the degree to which his leaders will meet in Egypt. ‘

The next climate summit will be held at Sharm al-Sheikh station in Egypt within a year.