"The Fossil Fuel Era Must Draw to a Close": A Message from the Marshall Islands to the World

H.E. Christopher J. Loeak 

President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands 

Opening of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s 

21st Conference of Parties 

Paris, France 

November 30, 2015

 

Our Paris Agreement must set a path for the safe climate future we all strive for. We all know, and must acknowledge, that the targets on the table now are not enough to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees, although they are a start in the right direction. 

 

Therefore, if it is to deliver the end we all seek, the Paris Agreement must be designed for ambition. 

 

It must send a message to the world that if we’re to win the battle against climate change, the fossil fuel era must draw to a close, to be replaced by a clean, green energy future, free of the carbon pollution that is harming our health, stunting our growth, and suffocating our planet. 

 

Please go here for the full speech:

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/12/1/the_fossil_fuel_era_must_draw?utm_source=Democracy+Now%21&utm_campaign=699a0e40d1-Daily_Digest&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fa2346a853-699a0e40d1-191574905