In New York on 21st September, on the eve of the UN Secretary-General's Climate Summit, The Alliance of Small Island States/AOSIS convened a one day High-Level Summit on Climate Change. Paradoxical News was there to cover the meeting.
The demand from AOSIS was that the UN Summit on Climate Change in December take into account their vulnerable position. With some island states, like pacific Nauru, the highest point above sea level is about 12 metres. Which means that they will be flooded when the effects of climate change sets in.
With the president of the Maldives heading their representation in demanding that global temperature increases be kept as far below 1.5°C as possible to limit the anticipated devastating effects of climate change on the world's most vulnerable countries. These are also to a far extent some of the poorest countries. This puts pressure on the leading UN economies at COP15, come December 7th-18th, since the goal to be met has been suggested at a maximum increase of 2°C. This leaves the United Nations split before the Copenhagen summit. United but divided.
The demand from AOSIS was that the UN Summit on Climate Change in December take into account their vulnerable position. With some island states, like pacific Nauru, the highest point above sea level is about 12 metres. Which means that they will be flooded when the effects of climate change sets in.
With the president of the Maldives heading their representation in demanding that global temperature increases be kept as far below 1.5°C as possible to limit the anticipated devastating effects of climate change on the world's most vulnerable countries. These are also to a far extent some of the poorest countries. This puts pressure on the leading UN economies at COP15, come December 7th-18th, since the goal to be met has been suggested at a maximum increase of 2°C. This leaves the United Nations split before the Copenhagen summit. United but divided.
For further information about AOSIS, please see: