Antiguan Prime Minister Says Harmful Effects of Cimate Change Threatens Small Nations
ST JOHN’S, Antigua,– Prime Minister Gaston Browne says small island states are faced with the greatest threats due to climate change.
Browne, who was speaking on Thursday during an online Climate Change Summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden joined other world leaders to call for a combined effort to reduce climate change, which he said is affecting small states in disastrous ways.
“We are grateful that the United States and China have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and we look forward to swift action in their transitioning into carbon neutral economies. We urge other major emitting nations to follow this vital example set by the United States and China.”
The Prime Minister reminded the leaders that the members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) are the least contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. “Collectively, they emit just 1.5 percent of the emissions of industrialized nations, and many of them have already begun to roll out programs to reduce their carbon footprint still further, particularly in renewable energy.”
He added that the “harmful effects of Climate Change are growing, and the cost of mitigation and recovery is being counted in human lives and livelihoods. The economic situation of our countries was already grave before the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now dire, particularly for tourism dependent nations”
“We are teetering on the edge of despair.”
The Prime Minister said that it is urgent for policy makers of International Finncial Institutions to issue instructions that will take into account the resource constraints or vulnerabilities being experienced by small states.
“Colleagues, repayment of official debt by small states, including to the Paris Club, is near impossible in the prevailing parlous circumstances. A permanent solution is necessary, requiring action to design new and enhanced financial instruments, to provide relief, including debt cancellation, debt suspension, debt rescheduling, debt restructuring and debt swaps.
Browne also pointed to worsening climate conditions, and added that they are uprooting workers from previously productive sectors and causing a crisis of emigration and refugees.
“This, too, must be reversed in the global interest. We should acknowledge that small states are also markets, providing revenues and employment for larger and richer nations.
Every major country benefits perennially from trade surpluses with small states.”
He also said that in order to continue to be viable markets, the small islands need – urgent access to COVID-19 vaccines; immediate action to cut greenhouse gas emissions; a program of debt forgiveness and debt rescheduling and funds to compensate for damage and to help reconstruct economies and to assist in building resilience.
