Fatafehi Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, issued a stark warning about the accelerating impacts of climate change during a session titled “Understanding the Real Impact of Climate Change” at COP29’s Green Zone.
“Currently, we are on the threshold of global temperature rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Fakafanua said. “If we continue at this pace, the situation will worsen and global temperature rise might even approach 3 degrees Celsius.”
He emphasized that financial and technical support is essential to mitigate these impacts, urging lawmakers to act decisively.
The Speaker highlighted the slow pace of adaptation in small island nations: “Entertainment is prioritized over loss and damage. Year after year, we face extreme heatwaves.”
He detailed the grim realities of rising sea levels, which destroy arable land and displace communities. “If the situation continues like this, what will we eat?!” Fakafanua questioned, highlighting the urgent need for action.