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Coal comfort: Pacific islands on collision course with Australia over emissions

Morgan, Wesley (2017) Coal comfort: Pacific islands on collision course with Australia over emissions. Pacific Journalism Review, 23 (1). pp. 25-31. ISSN 1023-9499

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Abstract

During 2017, Fiji is president of negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is the first time the talks have been headed by a Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Fiji’s Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, plans to use the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP23) to highlight the impacts of climate change on island states. Even as Pacific island leaders demand greater action to reduce emissions, the Australian government is supporting new coal mines at home and a dramatic increase in coal exports. This commentary focuses on Pacific leadership in the global fight to avoid catastrophic changes to the climate system. It suggests determined diplomacy by island states may help shift international opinion in favour of urgent action to reduce emissions. However, Pacific states must first shine a spotlight on their recalcitrant neighbour, and avoid being silenced by Australian ‘climate diplomacy’.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Divisions: Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Government, Development and International Affairs
Depositing User: Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata
Date Deposited: 27 Feb 2018 03:38
Last Modified: 27 Feb 2018 03:38
URI: http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10550
UNSPECIFIED

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