Marshall Islands President Warns of Climate Crisis
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine has warned that the world faces devastating consequences unless governments take urgent action against climate change. Addressing the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday, November 11, Heine said exceeding the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming target could threaten the survival of vulnerable island nations.
Marshall Islands Warns of Rising Seas and Coral Bleaching
Heine described how rising sea levels and extreme flooding threaten homes, schools, hospitals and coastal communities across the Pacific.
She recalled seeing healthy coral reefs near her home island in July, only to find them bleached white several months later.
The president warned that insufficient action to prevent further warming could permanently transform the environment and living conditions of island populations.
Barbados Warns Global Warming Could Reach 2.8°C
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley criticised governments for failing to deliver sufficient emissions reductions since the Paris Agreement.
She cited United Nations projections suggesting global temperatures could rise by 2.6°C even if existing climate pledges are fulfilled.
Under current policies, warming could reach approximately 2.8°C, significantly exceeding internationally agreed climate objectives.
UN Chief Calls for Fossil Fuel Windfall Tax
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged governments to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
He criticised countries expanding oil and gas production while pledging to limit global warming.
Guterres also proposed taxing exceptional profits earned by fossil fuel companies during the Iran conflict, with the revenue supporting vulnerable countries facing climate-related disasters.
COP31 Leaders Face Pressure Over Climate Commitments
The summit brought together 91 national leaders, although US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were absent.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged governments to turn climate promises into concrete measures.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also called for stronger cooperation, but faced criticism for not addressing fossil fuels directly.
