By Rositta Liosi – EMTV Online
In light of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris, Opposition Leader, Don Polye, has put it to Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato, to establish a proposed climate change fund.
The Opposition Leader said that a climate change fund must be established immediately, as it would benefit PNG and even other countries in the region vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“I believe the financial facility, if established, will form resilience for the Pacific island countries against natural disasters or climate change challenges,” he said.
Droughts, floods, storms and other disasters triggered by climate change have risen in frequency and severity over the last three decades.
Studies carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations clearly demonstrates that natural hazards, particularly extreme weather events, have a huge impact on agriculture and deter the eradication of hunger, poverty and the achievement of sustainable development.
Polye said fragile economies like Vanuatu, among others, which recently experienced devastating cyclones and loss of lives and infrastructure, were yet to recover.
“It will become a relief for small island economies in their recovery efforts after a natural disaster strikes a particular country,” he said.
