Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, has made a compelling appeal for immediate worldwide action on climate change during the ‘Climate Justice and Loss and Damage in the Pacific Conference’ at the University of Sydney. In his video message, Prasad cited the growing impacts of climate change on Pacific nations, calling for developed countries to acknowledge their role in driving global warming.
Prasad highlighted the severe risks faced by communities in the Pacific, drawing a parallel with homeowners in Sydney who are grappling with rising insurance costs and property depreciation linked to climate-related threats. He pointed out that the international community is falling short of the Paris Agreement targets, stressing that maintaining the temperature increase below 1.5°C is critical for safeguarding against further environmental harm.
Prasad also addressed the implications of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, urging nations to remain committed to their environmental promises and emphasizing the climate debt owed to Pacific countries. He articulated the deep connection between climate change and Pacific cultural identity, arguing that relocating communities from their ancestral lands cannot replace their cultural heritage, fishing rights, or burial sites.
While he acknowledged the progress made regarding loss and damage financing at COP28, Prasad insisted that more action is necessary, particularly in ensuring that funds are directed to the communities that are most affected. He condemned the expansion of fossil fuel usage as a violation of human rights and reaffirmed the commitment of Pacific nations to seek international legal acknowledgment of climate-induced damages.
The conference, organized by the Sydney Environment Institute, provided a platform for key stakeholders to engage in discussions about the urgent challenges faced by Pacific nations and to seek pathways toward climate justice.
Overall, Prasad’s call to action serves as a reminder of the crucial need for global collaboration in combating climate change, especially for vulnerable regions such as the Pacific. It underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing the historical and ongoing contributions to climate challenges while fostering strong international support for affected communities.
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