"Ocean warming has accelerated over the past decades. The oceans have never been as hot as they were in 2023. This warming and the decrease in the ice sheet mean an increase in the level of the sea globally." This is the warning from the United Nations World Meteorology Organization. Sea levels have risen in the last 30 years by 9.4 centimetres, but the rise is much higher in areas – among others, in some areas of the Pacific it is between 15 and 30 centimetres.

The data has been collected by the Pacific Islands Forum in the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. As if reality were trying to confirm the data, during the first day of the forum we had to face a 6.9-degree earthquake in Siberia. The meeting brings together 18 states, among which there are many who cannot cope with the rise to the sea. For example, the island of Tuvalu has its climax at 4.6 centimetres and if the situation remains the same, within 30 years half of the capital will disappear completely with high tide and within 80 years 95% of the island will suffer regular flooding.

Since 1971, the oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat accumulated by greenhouse gas emissions, completely unbalancing the existing balance. The warming of sea waters is worrying, as in addition to the rise of the sea it has other meteorological effects (floods, storms, cyclones, etc.). ). Thus, millions of citizens worldwide face the consequences of climate change on a daily basis. However, they are the least affected by the climate emergency. Antomio Guterres, UN Secretary-General present in Congress, also wanted to underline this injustice.

Climate justice

Guterres wanted to send the following message: "The future of the Pacific Islands will depend on the decisions taken by those responsible at the global level and also the rest of the world. If we save the Pacific, then we save the world." The countries of the G20 group, which brings together the world’s richest countries, are primarily responsible for the problem: 80% of the emissions are at the base.

The Pacific States have appealed to the richest countries to comply with the pledges made at the COP28 summit. They have thus underlined the need to respect the commitment to allocate financial aid to deal with the climate emergency. Despite the fact that a fund called Pacific Resilience Facility has been agreed upon, at the moment the pledges are not met: By 2026, $500 million will be earmarked, but for the time being $116 million has been set aside. "0.02% of emissions are based on Pacific citizens, it is scandalous that they suffer from the climate crisis," said 350.org Savio Carvalho, a member of the NGO.

They are clear, however, that infrastructures will not be sufficient to cope with sea growth and that they have a real way out of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Intergovernmental Group on Climate Emergency (GIEC) has insisted that each grade has its importance: If instead of having a warming of 1.5 degrees, it is 2 degrees, then the rise of the water will be 10 centimeters.

The forum linking the Pacific Islands will be closed on 30 August.