"AOSIS has long advocated a science-driven, robust and ambitious response to the climate challenge. We are here to play our part in ensuring that we live up to our responsibility to our people and future generations, and we assure you of our support as we fight for our survival and work to ensure a safe climate future for all." - Alliance of Small Island States.
The Alliance of Small Island States asked the international community today, to reflect on whether it is living up to the commitments made to each other over two decades ago with the establishment of the UNFCCC, to tackle and find solutions to climate change.
The opening of the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC) to Climate Change was the backdrop for the call from AOSIS.
"In the immediate wake of Super-storm Haiyan, one of the strongest storms in recorded history, which left a wake of destruction across Palau, Micronesia, and most severely in the Philippines, it is hard to claim that we have," said Ms. Lara Daniel of Nauru, speaking on behalf of AOSIS during the opening.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this horrific tragedy. It is a cruel reminder for all of us regarding what is really at stake at these talks. We should also recall that last year’s conference began with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy as a backdrop."
The 14 Pacific islands represented at the UNFCCC COP 19 negotiate at the international climate change conference together as part of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) a coalition of 44 states and observers from small island and low-lying coastal countries.
Together, Small Island Developing States communities constitute some 5 percent of the global population, they are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
AOSIS is calling for progress to be made at this COP on a legally binding protocol under the UNFCCC to be adopted no later than 2015 to keep global warming well below 1.5 degrees. This protocol must ensure there is no backsliding in the type, nature, or ambition of mitigation commitments.
"For many island nations, the cost of more extreme weather events has been mounting for some time: in the toll it is taking on our oceans and reefs; in the damage it is causing our food and water supplies; in the loss of our coastlines and parts of our sovereign territories; and, sadly, in the many lives lost," said Daniels.
"The safety, viability and survival of our members demands that the agreement be based on best science and therefore include a global goal of keeping warming well below 1.5 degrees."
:"Arial","sans-serif"'>All 14 Pacific Island Countries that are members of the UNFCCC are represented at the global conference on climate change, as well as delegates from Tokelau who are attending as part of the New Zealand delegation.
Although they contribute to less than 1% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions, the Pacific islands are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
It's here in Warsaw, Poland that the Pacific region is hopeful their voice will be heard and action is taken to help lower global temperatures.
Ms. Christiana Figueres the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC called for a level playing field in the face of climate change.
"There is no doubt that climate change has created an unlevel playing field for future generations. Previous generations unknowingly had an advantage; and now we know that future generations face a monumental uphill struggle. We must urgently level the playing field."
The international political response to climate change began with the adoption of the UNFCCC in 1992, which sets out a framework for action aimed at stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to avoid “dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” The Convention, which entered into force on 21 March 1994, now has 195 parties.
This year the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention to Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 19) is hosted by Warsaw, Poland from 11 to 22 November.
To access the opening statements of the COP 19 please visit: http://unfccc.int/meetings/warsaw_nov_2013/statements/items/7948.php