By Loretta B Manele

United States’ position on climate change and withdrawal from the Paris agreement is projected to leave a huge impact on Pacific Island countries.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele spoke about this when interviewed by ABC Pacific reporter, Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong.

He said United States’ position on climate change and their withdrawal from the Paris agreement on climate change will impact Solomon Islands.

Manele voiced that there will also be some impacts in terms of global efforts to address climate change.

Meanwhile, he said that along with climate change, there is also biodiversity loss and pollution which together are three planetary issues that are facing us globally.

In this regard, Manele said climate change is a global issue and challenge thus requires global collective action to address it.

He stressed that the withdrawal by the US or the position they have taken in terms of climate change is regrettable.

“It will affect global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as global efforts to mobilise financing.”

He added that this is very unfortunate because it will be countries in the Pacific including Solomon Islands who will suffer disproportionately.

“Very unfortunate because it will be countries in the Pacific including Solomon Islands, we are the ones that will suffer disproportionately. We are the ones least responsible for climate change.

“We, at the end, we face the brunt of climate change so it is unfortunate that the US has taken that position on climate change including its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.”

Manele noted that Solomon Islands will continue to use its resources working with willing partners going forward to see what we can do in terms of addressing climate change by way of either adaptation or mitigation efforts.

Ms Aumanu-Leong, ABC Pacific reporter is based in Solomon Islands.

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