From the Yap State News Brief, timely words from the Seychelles Climate Ambassador: Small Island States must take a stronger stand on climate change, make their collectives voices heard, use their vote (and veto) powers at international meetings! Seychelles Climate Change Ambassador Addresses Guam Conference HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News/PIR, April 15, 2014) — When Ronald Jumeau looks out at the Philippine Sea from a window in the Hyatt Regency Guam, hes reminded of his home, Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean. Jumeau, the Seychelles Ambassador for Climate Change and Small Island Developing States, is on Guam to give a keynote speech during the Regional Island Sustainability Conference today at the Hyatt about how island communities can address climate change. Seychelles, Jumeaus home country, is made up of more than 100 islands in the Indian Ocean, located northeast of Madagascar. Island territories must make their weight felt, Jumeau said during a press conference yesterday. Jumeau said the impact climate change is having on islands around the world will make more powerful nations pay attention, especially if the communities on those islands speak to each other about how theyre being affected. The pressure to address climate change will build up locally, and when communities work to address the problem and advocate for change on a national or international level, that will only help other island nations, Jumeau said. Local action He said the outreach into high schools, such as the Green Dream Home High School Competition featured yesterday at the conference, was a seed that could inspire change in the future. By the time children are old enough to make decisions, the water may be lapping at their feet, Jumeau said, referencing the rising oceans that are a symptom of climate change. Jumeau wondered if these types of competitions and presentations could be expanded to include more members of the community. Elders could also be invited to events like this weeks conference to share their observations about the effect of climate change with local policymakers and island leaders, he said. The best argument for climate change is climate change itself, Jumeau said. He said flooding in the United Kingdom and unusual weather in other parts of the world are great examples and are forcing governments into action. Model for sustainability University of Guam president Robert Underwood said the island is lurching forward toward a better model for sustainability. The inclusion of international advocates like Jumeau is something Underwood said hes been trying to do for a long time. Underwood said the best model for addressing sustainability and climate change wont come from the U.S. mainland; a model needs to be developed locally.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 13:38:00 +0000
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