UN chief calls for ‘enlightened self-interest’ from world leaders to save ‘the whole planet’ from climate change

Concluding a week-long visit to the South Pacific, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on the world’s decision-makers to make “enlightened” choices on climate action because “the whole planet” is at stake.

“Over the past week, I have witnessed first-hand the impacts of climate change in the Pacific Island States”, the UN chief said in a statement concluding his visit to the region. “They contribute very little to the global climate emergency and yet, they are the ones that are being most affected”.

Pointing out that entire villages are being relocated, livelihoods destroyed and people becoming sick from climate-related diseases, Mr. Guterres lamented: “The risks are all too real”.

He drew attention to his time in Tuvalu, where he saw an entire country fighting to preserve its very existence.

And yet, the UN chief found “remarkable” that the countries facing these enormous challenges have decided that “they are not giving up” but are instead “determined to find solutions”.

Not only have they developed ways to increase their resilience and adaptation, but according to Mr. Guterres, they are leading the way in reducing emissions and are an example that the rest of the world should follow.

Reiterating the powerful message that he has continued to underscore throughout his visit to the South Pacific, the UN chief stressed that “climate change cannot be stopped by the small island countries alone, it has to be stopped by the rest of the world” and that this requires the political will for “transformational policies in energy, mobility, industry and agriculture”.

Mr. Guterres said that solidarity or generosity is not being sought, it is enlightened self-interest from all decision-makers around the world that is needed because it’s not only of the Pacific that is at stake, it’s the whole planet.

Original source: UN News
Published on 18 May 2019