Kiribati appeals for urgent climate action
National
The Federal Government needs to play a stronger role in the global move to a clean energy future, according to a Caritas ambassador who is in Australia this week to speak about the devastating effect climate change is having on his Pacific island home of Kiribati.
“My country is in peril from rising seas so I am here to appeal for urgent climate action, otherwise we will lose our homes. Kiribati is going under water,” said Erietera Aram, a 28-year old father of three from Kiribati.
Following his visit to Australia, Eri will attend the UN climate summit in Germany to ensure his people are given a voice in determining future climate policy.
For Eri, forced relocation as a result of climate change is a very real and grim prospect.
“Every year my wife and I talk about the having to leave Kiribati due to sea level rise. But we and our children are i-Kiribati, Kiribati is our home, it is our language, traditions, culture and we don’t want to lose it,” he said.
As the ambassador of Caritas Australia’s latest report on climate change in the Pacific, Eri is calling on the Australian Government to play a much stronger role in the global move to a clean energy future, including a commitment to no new coal mines.
The Caritas State of the Environment for Oceania report released today shows that sea level rise, food and water shortages and extreme weather events are wreaking havoc on people’s lives.
“Across the Pacific climate change is entrenching poverty and inequality,” said Negaya Chorley, head of Advocacy at Caritas Australia.
Caritas urges the Australian Government to match the leadership shown by many Pacific Island nations who have adopted some of the strongest renewable energy targets in the world.
“Our country is completely unprepared for what’s coming,” said Ms Chorley.
“Tens of thousands of people will be made homeless by climate change. There is no whole of government approach to adequately tackle climate change and address its consequences. We need to be far more proactive and strategic in our long-term planning.”
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