Children born today are projected to encounter an average of two to seven times more extreme weather events compared to their grandparents, according to British High Commissioner to Fiji Brian Jones. Speaking during the announcement of Fiji’s COP29 delegation in Suva, he referenced the 2022 Save the Children Report titled “Born Into the Climate Crisis.”
Dr. Jones highlighted a noteworthy statistic from the report, stating, “Children born today will experience between two to seven times as many natural crises, such as droughts, water shortages, cyclones, and king tides, as their grandparents faced during their youth.” He emphasized that the upcoming COP29 negotiations are crucial for the future of the younger generation.
Addressing the delegation, Dr. Jones underscored their responsibility in contributing to a sustainable future for children and ensuring that catastrophic scenarios are averted. He stated, “For those attending COP29, you are tasked with creating a future for the children.”
Professor Biman Prasad, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, who will lead the delegation, noted that while COP29 may not be a landmark session, it is foundational in its potential to lay groundwork for implementation and ambition in the coming decades. He described this moment as a critical crossroads that requires a strong, unified voice across various agendas and negotiations. Prof. Prasad urged civil servants and leaders to forge a bold, strategic narrative that firmly represents the needs of current and future generations.