Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape took to the international stage at the 80th United Nations General Assembly to deliver a compelling call for immediate and decisive action against the escalating threats of climate change. His speech underscored the alarming evidence provided by science that human activities, particularly industrialization and fossil fuel consumption, are rapidly pushing the planet toward an irreversible tipping point.
Marape eloquently reminded world leaders that preserving the Earth is a responsibility owed to future generations, stressing that there is no other known planet capable of sustaining human life. He pointedly asked why humanity would choose to destroy the unique world we have. Addressing the world’s largest economies and industries, especially those responsible for high carbon emissions, Marape urged them to engage in conservation partnerships with forest-rich nations like Papua New Guinea.
As a country that possesses significant tropical forest and ocean resources, Papua New Guinea plays a critical role in the global carbon sink. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for genuine international support, highlighting that Papua New Guinea is willing to offer its natural resources sustainably and to generate income from conservation rather than exploitation.
Highlighting the concepts within the Paris Agreement, Marape expressed Papua New Guinea’s readiness to lead by example at the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil. He cautioned that without immediate action, humanity might find itself in future struggles for oxygen, a resource that could become as necessary to carry as bottled water is today.
In a pragmatic approach to climate policy, Marape stated that instead of imposing carbon taxes on companies in Papua New Guinea, the country will issue “green certificates” to businesses that operate sustainably, reflecting the nation’s carbon-negative status. This initiative aims to attract industries to support conservation efforts within the nation while recognizing their sustainable practices globally.
He concluded by emphasizing the interconnectedness of our world and the impact that any part of the planet can have on the whole, as starkly demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Marape’s impassioned plea is a poignant reminder of the urgent and collective responsibility needed to address climate change.
Marape’s remarks highlight a broader narrative that has been supported and echoed by prominent figures like United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has praised Papua New Guinea’s climate leadership. The collective efforts of Pacific Island nations, often on the front lines of climate impacts, showcase a unanimous call for stronger global action and cooperative measures. These initiatives underscore a hopeful vision for immediate climate action to safeguard the planet’s ecological and economic futures for generations to come.