For our Pacific Island neighbours, climate change is a matter of survival.
At the same time, they are lighting the way to a brighter future with smart climate solutions and bold leadership.
As these inspiring quotes by the leaders of Pacific nations show, it’s time Australia followed their lead.
Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands
“By becoming one of the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement, we have shown our determination to continue to lead this fight from the front”
Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu
“If we save Tuvalu we save the world”
Tony de Brum, Climate Ambassador, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Marshall Islands
“Our message is simple: if one of the world’s smallest, poorest and most geographically isolated countries can do it, so can you.”
Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati
“The earth is not ours to do with as we please – we are merely trustees for future generations. We ignore this reality at our peril.”
Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa
“The Paris Agreement demonstrates what is possible at the global level if countries are prepared to set aside their differences and vested interests for the common good of humanity”
Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands.
“The sadness is that these disasters are not occurring in these islands through their own fault. They are happening because of the excesses of larger and more powerful countries, who will not bend from their abuse of the world’s atmosphere, even at the risk of eliminating other societies, some older than their own.”
Samuel Manetoali, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology, Solomon Islands
“We are the last generation that will be remembered to guarantee humanity’s survival. We have one shot at getting it right. Let us not fail our people and the future of humanity.”
Henry Puna, Prime Minister, Cook Islands
“There is a saying that blood and mud are mixed together to provide identity – this highlights the deep connection that our Pacific people have with their land.”
Peter Christian, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
“Many of my people do not know the Earth as a planet among stars. They only know that their world is made up of islands and their surrounding seas. They only see that parts of their islands continue to wash away…and they wonder why we have lied to them that sea level rise is a gradual thing of the future.”
Baldwin Lonsdale, President of Vanuatu
“We see the level of sea rise… The cyclone seasons, the warm, the rain, all this is affected… Yes, climate change is contributing to this.”
Stand with the Pacific
Stand with the Pacific now and send a message to Australia’s new Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg. Ask him to end climate pollution and help create a cleaner brighter future for everyone.
