VANUATU (Commonwealth Union)_”Fossil fuels are not the way of the future for us.” The statements made by Samoan climate activist Brianna Fruean are anything from cliché. If prompt and serious action is not taken to reduce the climate crisis, entire nations could be swept up by rising oceans.
Vanuatu, a group of islands in the South Pacific, has taken the initiative to hold the rest of the world to account by requesting a non-proliferation agreement on fossil fuels. It might seem daring coming from a nation with just over 320,000 people and less than $1 billion (USD) in annual gross domestic product. However, the world’s carbon super-producers are condemning little island developing governments like Vanuatu to extinction by carrying on as usual.
Due to their low-lying locations, the islands in the South Pacific are particularly susceptible to rising seas. It is anticipated that Kiribati, an atoll that is less than two metres above sea level, would be the first nation to entirely vanish from the face of the earth. Kiribati is already “sinking” into the ocean. Similar disaster is looming for their neighbours in Samoa, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands and more. Despite not producing as many greenhouse gases as the Big Five (the United States, China, Russia, India, and Brazil), these nations will ultimately bear the brunt of the effects of climate change.
The South Pacific Islands account for just 0.03 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Because of its forests, oceans, and other natural resources, Vanuatu is already thought of as having a net negative carbon footprint. The tiny nation wants to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, with the ultimate objective of completely eliminating all fossil fuels on the islands.
The president of Vanuatu, Nikenike Vurobaravu, addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday in reference to the global effort to keep temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “We call for the development of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty to phase down coal, oil and gas production in line with 1.5C and enable a global just transition for every worker, community and nation with fossil fuel dependence,” he said.
In addition, President Vurobaravu requested that the International Court of Justice issue a ruling on the question of whether it is legal to protect the present and future generations from the effects of climate change. While it is unlikely that this request would result in compensation for the harm already done, it is hoped that it will increase requests for assistance from nations affected by climate disaster and support legal actions on behalf of individuals seeking climate justice.
