Small island states in the Caribbean have been asking larger nations for financial and technical assistance to deal with the impacts of climate change, and this week at least one such nation agreed.
As climate change talks continue at the United Nations’ COP21 conference, leaders from around the Caribbean have pushed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, rather than the current target of two degrees. In supporting their point, they have argued that the impending rise in sea level puts the very existence of their small, coastal countries at stake.
Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering travelled to Paris to attend the climate change talks this week, according to Government Information Services.
Among several addresses was a panel with French Overseas Minister George Pau-Langevin about the assistance needed by islands that are not independent countries.
“Climate change does not discriminate against one island or the other based on political status,” Dr. Pickering told the panel. “The rise in CO2 emissions has placed small-island developing states at risk. Our way of life is under threat and we deserve the international community’s support to help us to adapt to the challenges posed by global warming.”
Dr. Pickering also spoke at the Wider Caribbean Pavilion about the territory’s Climate Change Trust Fund, according to GIS.
See the Dec. 10, 2015 edition for full coverage.
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