Marshalls President Litokwa Tomeing urged the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam and Palau to use the summit to work on climate change issues because of the devastating effects of sea level rise on Pacific islands.
Many islands are already seeing the effects of global changes and leaders fear the future will be worse without immediate and drastic action.
“If the analyses are correct… we will be drowning in our backyards,” said President Emanuel Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia.
He emphasized the need for cooperation and coordination, suggesting the Micronesia Challenge as an effective way to address the issue and to carry the message to a wider global audience.
The Micronesia Challenge is a commitment by Palau, the FSM, Guam, the CNMI and the Marshall Islands to effectively conserve at least 30 percent of near shore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources by 2020.
With the increasing awareness of global climate change, the challenge can also showcase one approach to climate change concerns: by effectively protecting natural resources, a community can be in a better position to adapt and handle the problems that will be caused by climate change.
Palau President Johnson Toribiong said he supported the challenge but wanted to ensure that it would be an effective tool to achieve its goals in the islands. The challenge is intended to help protect the island lifestyle, by ensuring the resources are healthy enough to support sustainable use for generations to come.
Charlene Mersai, regional coordinator for the Micronesia Challenge, said she was encouraged by leaders’ support for the goals of the project.
The islands will be better positioned to secure funding from international donors and draw attention to their plight by working together, she said.
