United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon says he has seen first-hand the need for urgent action on climate change after visiting the remote Solomon Islands.
During his one-night stay, Ban said rising sea levels are wiping out crops on low-lying islands in the Solomons and threatening the existence of the entire chain, located 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometres) north-east of Australia.
Ban said on September 4 that he's ready to “sound alarm bells to the whole world” over the dangers of climate change. He said the developed world has a moral obligation to help nations like the Solomons with financial and technological aid.
Ban was due to leave on Sunday for Kiribati, another island chain threatened by climate change. From there, he'll fly to New Zealand.
He is on a four-nation visit to Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati during which the issue of climate change will be a key focus. “My visit is to continue sounding the alarm about climate change; to get a firsthand sense of Pacific concerns, Pacific opportunities, Pacific hopes; and to participate in the Pacific Islands Forum.”
