Our first “Voices from the Frontline” presentation in Sydney last Thursday was a success. People came from all over to hear two visiting community leaders from the Pacific share their experiences of climate change impacts in their region.
But, don’t take my word for it. Sam Molko, our campaigner in Papua New Guinea, was also there and here’s what he thought.
I am Sam Moko and I am forest campaigner with Greenpeace Australia Pacific from the biggest Pacific Island Nation, Papua New Guinea.
It was great for me as a Pacific Islander to be at this special event last Thursday night in Sydney and hear about the impacts of climate change on the smaller island countries in the Pacific. I see that the impacts are already happening in Papua New Guinea especially in the Carteret Islands in Bougainville and many coastal villages along the coast of PNG.
Before the presentations, I walked passed this Pacific looking woman who recognised me as a Pacific Islander and she called me “Hi Wantok” She is Pelenise Alofa Pilitati from Kiribati. Pelenise told me she has families in Rigo, Central Province of Papua New Guinea and own hectares of forest along the Own Stanley Range. I was proud of her talk about climate change impacts in Kiribati, and the need for Australia and Kevin Rudd to protect their Pacific Island brothers and sisters from the great threats of
climate change.
The Reverend Tafue Lusama was the second speaker who talked about climate change impacts in Tuvalu and the need for us all (Aussies and Pacific Islanders in Australia) to tell Kevin Rudd that he should be a leader at the Pacific Islands Forum next week, and go to Copenhagen in December with a good deal that protects us all in the Pacific.
I feel the talk given by both Pelenise and Reverend Tafue Lusama are very important for awareness of the community of Australians and Pacific Islanders living in Australia. The climate change impacts are happening while we talk and we need to act towards stopping it. I was proud of Pelenise and Reverend Tafue in taking the lead and carrying out this activity. The images they used in their talk were really touching.
The global warming is going at a very fast speed that we need to act now to stop. It will have devastating impacts on us in the Pacific. I urge the people of Australia to cut down on your emissions as much you can and most importantly talk to your local MPs on the issue of change climate and the impacts on the Pacific Islands. Encourage your MPs to take this to Copenhagen and make a commitment to cut down on emissions.
Fellow Pacific Islanders in Australia, if you treasure your roots and beautiful islands and have your heart with your Pacific Island brothers and sisters, tell the government of Australia and Kevin Rudd to take immediate action by cutting down on emissions now!
