Single salt in the Pacific Ocean in my blood. I grew up as I watched the tide and the islands form the beaches of the Tuwalu Islands. But now, these tides are raised unabated, land erosion, swallowing homes, removing their livelihoods and washing futures for societies. The entire islands are drowned. A third of Tuvalo citizens are looking for a “climate shelter” in Australia.
Climate change is not a far threat; It is our daily reality.
But there is hope. At the end of July, in The Hague, the Netherlands, it witnessed a historic moment. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was delivered The consultative opinion is that countries have a legal duty to prevent climate harm More importantly, they can be held accountable for the consequences of their actions, through financial compensation or other forms of recovery.
A message from the leaders of the island: Protecting the Pacific Ocean from the depths of the depths of the seas
The ruling means that climatic justice is no longer a moral commitment, but rather an issue of international law. This looks like a seismic transformation. The uncompromising sight of the front lines societies across the Pacific, who carried the weight of the crisis that we did not create.
The International Court of Justice has made clear to fossil fuels in particular: production and licensing can form and support it “internationally unrealistic” that states can bear responsibility under international law. Countries have an obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions-the court has highlighted the legal responsibility that can arise from expanding the fossil fuel infrastructure in the face of clear scientific warnings.
It is especially strong for this legal penetration to stem from the efforts of the small island countries, which were launched by the courageous Pacific Youth in 2019, initially in Vanu’u and then through cross -border cooperation. It is a reminder that more than those affected by the climate crisis are also among the most specific treatment. Through efforts ranging from popular movements to international diplomacy, the Pacific Island countries planned a road that places justice in the Climate Governance Center. This is a strong example of weak sounds that lead to transformational change at the highest levels of international law.
Why should we protect the high seas from all extraction, forever
The International Court of Justice has also confirmed that cooperation between countries is essential to climate work, and has defined treaties as a decisive tool for coordinated implementation. This gives wind to the sails of emerging legal tools. The Treaty of the non -spread of fossil fuel, for example, would provide legal foundations for the states to follow up binding procedures coordinated on the gradual disposal of fossil fuels and a fair transition to renewable energy. It is currently supported by 17 countries, including Tuvalu, which constitutes the treaty proposal, discuss how to involve others and start an official negotiation process. A high -level ministerial meeting was planned in Bilim, Brazil, in November, along with COP30 Climate talks to move the process forward.