‘The atrocities of the big fossil fuel industries like
the 'Goliath' Australian coal industry against us
small, vulnerable 'David' islands countries are
continuing. And we are allowing it. The question, however, is: Will we be content to wake up in
January 2010 after the Copenhagen climate summit wringing our hands and saying 'Never Again?’
The outcome of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting on climate change is essentially a death warrant for Pacific Islanders. But if Australia and New Zealand think Pacific Islanders will give up and slink away in the shadows defeated, they are wrong. We remain even more determined than ever because our lives, identities and our future depend on it.
The truth of the matter is that neo-colonialism was the order of the day in Cairns. It was evident in Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s opening statement: “We are playing our part in international gatherings—including by representing the interests of the Pacific islands nations—in other international fora where Australia participates, including the G20.”
That’s very gracious Mr Rudd. But who in the Pacific elected you to represent us at the G20? Who appointed you Sheriff of our Pacific county?
The civil society groups present in Cairns like Friends of the Earth and Oxfam are also up in arms. So too are the Pacific media.
At a public event on the Cairns Esplanade, Greenpeace spoke about the sheer gravity of what was at stake for Pacific Islanders. It made the link to the 1948 Geneva Convention and the bringing together of the world’s countries. It took the atrocities of the second World War for countries to resolve ‘Never Again’—and formed the family of the United Nations.
We are at a similar juncture now. The atrocities of the big fossil fuel industries like the ‘Goliath’ Australian coal industry against us small, vulnerable ‘David’ islands countries are continuing. And we are allowing it. The question however is: Will we be content to wake up in January 2010 after the Copenhagen climate summit wringing our hands and saying ‘Never Again’?
There are 21 negotiating days before the UN climate meeting in December and we have just 21 days to change that script and use every non-violent means possible to express our refusal to placidly acquiesce.
The outcomes that were agreed to in Cairns were woefully inadequate. Pacific leaders—at the behest of Australia and New Zealand —agreed to lower targets and to allow a longer timeframe in which ‘business as usual’ can continue.
Essentially, we agreed to drown and be pummelled by more severe and frequent natural disasters. And at what price to our future? Twenty five million dollars of funds have already been pledged.
The result totally contradicts the Alliance Of Small Islands States (AOSIS) position and makes a mockery of the Forum process.
Many Pacific Islanders in positions of regional influence are also allowing it. That is the deepest stab to the heart.
No one cannot do it alone. It will take every individual in our Pacific countries to dig their heels in and show the world our refusal to be sacrificed. Mother Nature will be our witness.
History will be written every day in the lead-up to Copenhagen.
A gross injustice against all global small islands states is occurring. And we can only stop it together.
