15 December 2011
The announcement that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to visit climate-hit Tuvalu, one of the most remote places in the world, is great news.
Tuvalu is one of the places that are most vulnerable to the affects of climate change. At this year’s UN climate summit, in Durban, their Minister of Environmental Affairs stated that, ‘The sea is now bringing destruction and threatening their very existence. Sea level rise could engulf our entire nation and therefore erase or right to sovereign state.’
The minister went on to highlight that sea level rise is not their only concern, 'The nation had to declare a state of emergency prior to the climate talks as they recorded their worst drought in history.’
This year's climate talks delivered little in the way of hope for beautiful islands like Tuvalu. Delays on agreeing key areas crucial to securing a global climate deal, such as long-term money to help developing countries, prepare, prevent and respond to climate change, continues to plague progress.
We hope the royal visit to the tiny south pacific island will significantly raise awareness of the importance of securing a global deal that has the most vulnerable countries and communities at its heart.
Paul Cook
Director of Advocacy, Tearfund
For media enquires only, please contact our media team:
Note to editors: For further information or an interview contact Esther Williams on 07595 202 438 or the Tearfund Media team on 0208 943 7792. Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency building a global network of churches to help eradicate poverty.www.tearfund.org
If you're not a journalist but have a general question about our work please call our Supporter Enquiries team on 0845 355 8355 or use our online form.