Local blames climate change for disasters

A COMMUNITY leader from Enga’s Wapenamanda electorate has blamed developed nations for climate change being experienced by Pacific island nations.
Passing his condolences to relatives and friends who lost loved ones in the sinking of the mv Rabaul Queen last Thursday, Langa Kopio said such a tragedy and the landslide in Hela were the result of climate change.
“Plants are responding differently, sea level is rising and the rainfall pattern is changing. We have never experienced these things before. I think they are related to climate change.”
Kopio said the main cause of the climate change was developed nations producing massive pollution that resulted in the greenhouse effect.
He said small island nations around the world were falling victim to the impact of climate change, resulting in the submerging islands and floods claiming lives and destroying food.
“The industrial nations must be held liable for what is happening in our country due to climate change because we have never experienced these things before,” Kopio said.
He said the developed nations must fund small island nations so they combat climate change because “these nations are vulnerable to the impact of climate change”.
He urged the government to take a critical stance in addressing the issue as it was severely affecting the people and the country.