September 6, 2018: Foreign Minister, Marise Payne’s, signing onto the Boe Declaration at the Pacific Island forum in Nauru is a welcome step but Australia must now back this gesture with deeds by introducing policies that rapidly reduce emissions.Australia joined leaders from across the Pacific earlier today by signing onto the declaration that identifies climate change as the number one security threat to the region.
“We in the Pacific have known for years that the main risk to our island homes is climate change. It’s good that Australia has finally got with the program and acknowledged the dire threat we face,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Fiji Campaigner, Kelvin Anthony, said.
“But signing alone is not enough. Now that the Australian Government has officially recognised the problem it is time for it to be part of the solution. Scott Morrison must reverse the climate sceptic trajectory he has put Australia on and actually do something about climate change.
Some participants in negotiations have said that Australia sought to water down the final declaration from leaders.
“The people of the Pacific are amongst the first and hardest by climate change,” Anthony said.
“Cyclones and storm surges are becoming more frequent and more severe, and the seas are rising. The reality of climate change is the clearest and most constant threat to the lives and livelihood of those who dwell in the Pacific, and that’s the simple reality that the Boe Declaration recognises.”
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Simon Black
Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Media Campaigner
0418 219 086 / [email protected]