Heartbreaking news for Fijians after leading climate scientist says sea levels may increase by 1.1 metres by 2100 - Bainimarama

Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama says it is heartbreaking news for Fijians to find out from a leading climate scientist that global warming will increase global average sea levels by upto 1.1 metres by 2100 in the worst warming scenario.

While addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York today, Bainimarama says the report was released a few hours ago, and adds a new dimension of horror to the world our children and grandchildren will inherit.

Bainimarama sent a message to some leaders who sit at the apex of certain governments that they readily listen to the scientists and take heed of the best research available in every other field of human endeavour - So why do they refuse to listen to the scientists on climate change?

He says one of our youngest climate warriors, young Timoci Naulusala watched his village be ripped to pieces in Cyclone Winston and he is now demanding the world act to spare other youth the same suffering he personally endured.

Bainimarama told the world leaders that this is their moment of truth.

The Prime Minister says every nation has a role to play but only the industrial nations have the economic capacity and advanced technical know‑how to lead the world to victory in this struggle.

Bainimarama says defeat is not an option. He told the leaders for God’s sake face up to your responsibility to lead.

Bainimarama says there is no alternative but to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. He says there is no alternative but to cap the average global temperature at 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre‑industrial age and preferably lower.

The Prime Minister says even at one degree warming, entire species are being made extinct and our coral reefs are dying. He says there is no alternative but to rapidly scale down the use of fossil fuels and rapidly scale up the development of renewable energy.

Bainimarama also stresses that there is no alternative but to rapidly phase out the use of coal. He stresses that there should be no more coal mines and no more coal powered electricity.

The Prime Minister says unless we stop burning coal, we have no hope of achieving net zero emissions in 31 years time.

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