With backyard flooded, Palau president opens to China climate leadership

Source(s): Thomson Reuters

By Umberto Bacchi

ROME - To see the frontline of climate change, Tommy Remengesau, President of Palau, a small island nation in the Pacific, has to look no further than his backyard.

Due to rising sea levels the garden his wife used keep at the back of their house now gets swamped with salt water by the high tide, he said.

[...]

Remengesau said he was disappointed with the United States' decision to ditch the accord. President Donald Trump also said the United States would stop contributing to the Green Climate Fund to help vulnerable countries, including Pacific states, adapt to a changing climate.

"It's a lost opportunity really for the U.S. to lead," he said, adding he was glad to see the void being filled by other nations, including China, with which Palau has no formal diplomatic ties due to its support of Taiwan.

"In a way it's good to see China take the leadership because they need to be part of the solution," said Remengesau.

[...]

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