by Juanita Nonwo – EM TV Online
Kiribati and Tuvalu will be visited by the New Zealand’s Labour party next month in a step forward to observe and mitigate the effects of climate change on vulnerable islands in the Pacific.
“Members of our Pacific Caucus want to see at first-hand what is happening in countries regarded as the most vulnerable in the world to sea level rise, and what can be done to mitigate this. Labour also wants to review the whole issue of what makes a climate change refugee and what the legal definition of one might be under a Labour government,” stated Labour’s Pacific Climate Change Spokesperson, Su’a William Sio.
Sio commented that the 1.5 degrees that was agreed to by global leaders at the Paris climate change summit last year was a great step forward, however, much more action is needed in ensuring the survival of Pacific nations.
He also added that New Zealand’s consistency has dropped in maintaining their rankings for world climate rankings.
“Climate change has already caused huge problems in the Pacific and I look forward to leading a team, focussed on our Pasifika neighbours, that develops a blueprint for a healthier sustainable future,” said Sio, adding the importance of remembering the catch from COP21: Save Tuvalu and you Save the Globe.
