Surging seas are coming for us all, warns UN chief

The Pacific islands are facing a serious threat from rising sea levels, and the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has made it clear that major polluting countries have a significant responsibility to reduce their emissions. If they fail to act, we could be looking at a global disaster. During a recent interview with the BBC at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, Guterres stated, 'The Pacific is today the most vulnerable area of the world. ' He emphasized that the small island nations are not the ones causing climate change, yet they are suffering the most from its effects. He warned, 'The surging seas are coming for us all,' as he addressed the urgent need for action in light of two new reports released by the UN regarding rising sea levels and their impact on Pacific island nations. One of the reports from the World Meteorological Organization highlights that this region is facing a combination of three critical issues: an accelerating rise in sea levels, warming oceans, and ocean acidification due to increased carbon dioxide absorption. Guterres explained, 'The reason is clear: greenhouse gases – overwhelmingly generated by burning fossil fuels – are cooking our planet. ' He added, 'The sea is taking the heat – literally. ' The theme for this year's forum was 'transformative resilience,' which was put to the test on the opening day when heavy rains caused flooding and an earthquake forced evacuations. Joseph Sikulu, the Pacific director for the climate advocacy group 350, remarked, 'It's such a stark reminder of how volatile things are within our region, and how important it is that we need to prepare for everything. ' Nearby, a vibrant street parade showcased dancers from various cultures, including Torres Strait islanders, Tongans, and Samoans. A prominent banner at the start of the parade read: 'We are not drowning, we are fighting,' while another proclaimed, 'Sea levels are rising – so are we. ' This powerful message reflects the challenges they face, which could potentially erase their way of life. The UN Climate Action Team recently released a report indicating that global average sea levels are rising at unprecedented rates not seen in the past 3,000 years. According to the report, sea levels have risen an average of 9. 4 cm over the last 30 years, with the tropical Pacific experiencing an even more alarming increase of 15 cm. Sikulu emphasized the importance of leaders, particularly from Australia and Aotearoa, witnessing these realities firsthand, as well as recognizing the resilience of the Pacific people. He stated, 'A core part of Tongan culture is our ability to be able to continue to be joyful throughout our adversity, and that's how we practice our resilience. ' This is the second time that Secretary-General Guterres has attended the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which gathers leaders from 18 Pacific Islands, including Australia and New Zealand. As the leaders convened for the official opening ceremony, heavy rain caused significant flooding, and shortly after, a magnitude 6. 9 earthquake struck the Tonga region, underscoring its vulnerability. In 2019, Guterres visited Tuvalu and raised alarms about rising sea levels. Now, five years later, he has observed tangible changes. He remarked, 'We see everywhere an enormous commitment to resist, a commitment to reduce the negative impact of climate change. ' However, he also pointed out another significant injustice faced by the Pacific Islands: the international financial systems designed to support countries in distress were not created with small island nations in mind. During his visit, Guterres met with local communities whose livelihoods are threatened by rising sea levels. They have been waiting for seven years for a decision regarding funding for a sea wall. He expressed frustration with the bureaucracy and complexity of the international financial system, stating, 'The lack of sense of urgency because it’s a small island, far away' is a significant issue. He added, 'There are promises of increases of money available for adaptation in developing countries, but the truth is we are far from what is needed, from the solidarity that is needed for these countries to be able to exist. ' Many Pacific islanders at the conference pointed to Australia as the largest regional donor and emitter. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia would increase its extraction and use of gas until 2050 and beyond, despite calls to phase out fossil fuels. Guterres emphasized, 'There is an essential responsibility of the big polluters. ' He warned that without immediate action, the world will exceed the 1. 5C threshold established in the Paris Agreement in 2015. This agreement aims to limit global warming to 'well below' 2C by the end of the century and to pursue efforts to keep warming within the safer limit of 1. 5C. Guterres stated, 'Only by limiting warming to 1. 5 degrees Celsius do we have a fighting chance of preventing the irreversible collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets – and the catastrophes that accompany them. ' He explained that this requires cutting global emissions by 43% compared to 2019 levels by 2030 and by 60% by 2035. However, last year, global emissions actually increased by 1%. He stressed, 'There’s an obligation for the G20 that represent 80% of emissions – there’s an obligation for them to come together, to guarantee a reduction of emissions now. ' He called on the G20 and companies that contribute significantly to global emissions to take responsibility, stating, 'It’s time to say 'enough.