Ban Ki-moon urges action on climate change

Yahoo

5 September, 2011

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned of economic and social instability in the Pacific Islands region if nothing is done to combat climate change.

Mr Ban, who is visiting the region ahead of this week's Pacific Island Forum in Auckland, has called on the international community to do more to fight climate change, warning that low-lying atoll nations are under threat of obliteration from rising tides.

"Ocean waves can be more dangerous than an army. They can wipe out whole islands," Mr Ban said during a press conference in the Solomon's capital Honiara on Sunday.

"The oceans are already destroying crops in low lying atolls.

"That puts food security at risk. Poor food security means weak social stability.

"This is my message in every country I visit and to every leader I meet: the planet cannot wait for a greener future, we need governments to work for change, we need communities and individuals working together in addressing these issues."

Mr Ban praised first world donors who he said had been generous to the island region, and called on island governments to be more transparent with how they use aid.

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