APIA, Samoa: During a visit to Samoa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a dire warning that some Pacific territories face potential “annihilation” due to the escalating impacts of climate change. Guterres emphasized that the survival of these island nations hinges on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a goal set in the 2015 Paris Agreement but one that the world is currently not on track to meet.
Guterres highlighted the severe consequences that climate-induced phenomena such as cyclones, ocean heatwaves, and rising sea levels pose to the Pacific region. Despite contributing a mere 0.02 percent of global carbon emissions, Pacific islands are on the front lines of the climate crisis, enduring extreme weather events and accelerating sea-level rise that threatens their very existence.
The UN chief called on wealthier nations to honor their commitments to support developing countries in coping with the consequences of climate change. He also stressed the need for concerted international efforts to address the broader challenges facing the Pacific, including overfishing and plastic pollution.
Amid rising geopolitical interest in the Pacific from major powers like China and the United States, Guterres underscored the importance of allowing Pacific islanders to manage their own region, cautioning against turning it into a battleground for global competition.
