Fitial discusses climate change at 17th MCES

  TUMON, Guam-The chief executives of the nine jurisdictions of Micronesia gathered for the 17th Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit here in the Territory of Guam.

Following the opening ceremonies and the change of command, each of the chief executives delivered their remarks to the delegates and participants. All the heads of state of the region highlighted the importance of sustaining the regional collaboration that has been established by way of the Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit.

Gov. Fitial discussed the recent meeting of the Micronesian leaders and the Region IX Federal Regional Council held in San Francisco just two weeks ago. “Gov. Calvo and I, along with Gov. Tulafono of American Samoa and the Ambassadors from RMI, Palau and the FSM, again met with the Region IX FRC,” said Fitial. “Continuing a tradition that began just two years ago, we again had the opportunity to further strengthen intergovernmental communications related to funding, policy and technical assistance.”

Fitial also drew attention to the issue of climate change, a matter often taken for granted, but one that carries a great deal of consequence if island nations simply ignore it. He noted that after the FRC meeting, he joined Gov. Tulafono in a meeting with a group of coral reef scientists to provide a consensus statement regarding the implications of climate change on coral reefs.

“They are reaching out to us as leaders of the Pacific Islands to work together in an effort to come up with viable solutions. As Chief Executives, it is important for us to put forward a call for action against large carbon emission producing nations to curb contributions to climate change which impact our island communities,” stated Gov. Fitial.

The governor added that as first-hand witnesses to the effects of climate change, it is tremendously important for the chief executives to recognize that climate change is underway and that it will have a significant impact on the world’s coral reef systems.

“With very minimal built infrastructure and population size, our small island nations remain insignificant contributors to carbon emissions, yet we are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” lamented Fitial. “The days of environmental exploitation are long past and the time to act is now.”

He further acknowledged that the global community must take this threat seriously and effectuate policies and protections that will not only curb the increase in emissions, but ultimately, result in a significant decrease of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and oceans.

In concluding his remarks, Fitial pointed out that the regional leaders all share the goal of achieving of economic prosperity for all the islands. He reminded his colleagues of a well-known proverb that states: Give a man fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. “At the end of the day, the degree and extent of our prosperity will be the ultimate measure of whether we gave our people fish, or we taught them how to fish,” added Fitial. “Through our partnership at this table, we are empowered to make that decision of either building success for a day or leaving a legacy for a lifetime. I choose the latter.” (Office of the Governor)