The Wire

Our government may still be wrangling over the ifs, buts and hows of climate change, but many countries are already feeling it’s effect. A group of environmental activists visiting Australia say that rising sea levels and the increasing frequency of events like cyclones will one day make some low-lying Pacific nations uninhabitable. They believe that Australia, as the region’s biggest greenhouse gas producer, has a special responsibility for the environmental damage caused by global warming and is calling on our government to recognise a new class of “environmental refugees”. Fiu Mataese Elisara-Laula, President of O Le Sioaiomaga, an umbella organisation of Samoan NGOs visited Australia as part of the Climate Justice Tour. He says the effects of global warming are already being felt in his country. Christine Baker also spoke to Aidwatch campaigner, Kate Walsh.

AIDWATCH
Australian Government Export Finance and Insurance Corporation