By: Jacob Kim
At a critical gathering in Tonga, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a powerful warning about the escalating climate crisis, calling for urgent global action to address rising sea levels that threaten Pacific Island nations. Guterres stressed that the situation is dire, with greenhouse gas emissions driving sea levels to rise at an alarming rate, particularly in the Pacific, where communities are highly vulnerable due to their low-lying geography.
Guterres highlighted the significant risks faced by Pacific Island nations, where 90% of the population lives within 5 kilometers of the coast, and the average elevation is only 1 to 2 meters above sea level. Without drastic cuts to emissions, these islands could see sea levels rise by at least 15 centimeters by mid-century, along with more frequent coastal flooding. This would have devastating impacts not only on the islands but also globally, as the fate of the Pacific reflects the broader challenges of climate change.
Among the key initiatives aimed at building resilience in the region is the Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led financial institution set to begin operations in 2025. However, the project faces a severe funding shortfall, and Guterres called on major emitters, particularly G20 nations, to provide financial support to climate-vulnerable countries.
Guterres’ plea coincided with the release of two UN reports that underscore the severity of the situation. Sea levels in some parts of the Southwestern Pacific have risen more than double the global average over the past 30 years. As the UN General Assembly prepares to hold a special session on rising sea levels, Guterres emphasized that urgent action is necessary to prevent catastrophe for the Pacific Islands and the world.
This message serves as a stark reminder of the existential threat posed by climate change and the urgent need for global cooperation to mitigate its effects before it’s too late.
Sources
Energy Outlook 
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