The president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, has publicly responded to a gaffe made by Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton regarding the Pacific’s rising sea levels. In 2015, at the same conference, Dutton laughed about children living in cages. Unfortunately, a boom microphone captured his offhand comment and it turned public outcry into a firestorm. As the vulnerable Pacific nation grapples with the reality of low-lying islands, coral reefs, and a population of around 20,000, Whipps Jr has emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change.
Dutton’s earlier comments resurfaced amid discussions surrounding the Coalition’s position on climate policies and international conferences. He further declared plans to co-host the next UN climate change conference, currently planned for 2025, also known as COP31, as “madness.” He turned around and called it a boondoggle. Whipps Jr has been busy calling on Australia to work alongside the Pacific region. Together, they can provide important leadership on climate action at the global level.
The Vulnerability of Palau
Palau consists of more than 300 islands and is one of the countries most vulnerable to sea level rise, as it faces annihilation due to climate change. The president of Palau highlighted that “time doesn’t mean anything when you’re about to have water lapping at your door,” stressing that immediate action is required to combat climate change.
Whipps Jr also called on the Coalition to back the Labor government’s bid for Australia to co-host COP31 in 2026. He believes that this conference will provide an opportunity for the Pacific and Australia to “lead on the world stage with credibility and conscience.” Hosting COP31, according to Whipps Jr, is not merely symbolic. He stated it represents “a test of fairness, balance, and integrity in the global climate process.”
Palau is also due to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting just months before their turn in the COP hot seat in 2026. This event will serve as a platform to discuss pressing issues affecting the region, including climate change and cooperation among Pacific nations.
Rising Concerns Among Pacific Leaders
Australia hosted a Pacific Island Leaders Meeting in Brisbane last Wednesday, however, this has gone down poorly with many Pacific leaders. Many of you may already have doubts about the Coalition’s seriousness when it comes to climate action. Papua New Guinea has pledged to no longer attend future meetings. This step points to an intensifying anger across the region at the failure to fulfill climate finance pledges.
Whipps Jr underscored the importance of unity and cooperation among nations as the world confronts the urgent realities of climate change. “We’re not asking for perfection. We’re asking for solidarity,” he stated. For the Pacific Islands, climate change poses an existential threat. Wealthier countries such as Australia will need to lead the way and prove their credibility—both in words and deeds—now more than ever.
Dutton has since apologized for his comment, saying it had been a “mistake” from a “good-natured conversation.” Yet, taken as a whole, his comments to date continue to grade on many in the Pacific region. His remarks underlined how critical time is as we face increasing climate challenges. Most agree that the Coalition has failed to fully recognize just how urgent this world ahead of us will be.
Calls for Action on Fossil Fuels
Whipps Jr is taking the fight against rising sea levels up a notch. This is why he’s calling on Australia to raise the bar on fossil fuel emissions, given Australia is now the Pacific’s largest emitter. He then went on to emphasize the urgency of such broader measures for protecting every nation from climate change’s effects, especially vulnerable nations.
The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, has suggested that rather than hosting another meeting like COP31, the focus should shift to “practical” solutions for climate change. This view underscores a chasm in Australian political conversations about the most effective way to assist Pacific countries threatened by climate change.
Dutton’s assertion that the Coalition would work with Pacific countries to understand their power concerning China indicates a complex geopolitical landscape alongside climate concerns. With leaders now preparing for those pivotal meetings in the years ahead, there is no time to waste. The lack of a coordinated interim response to climate change is becoming increasingly worse.
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