Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. invited U.S. President Trump to snorkel to demonstrate the effects of climate change. He emphasized the immediate and long-term threats posed by climate change, urging action to address environmental impacts. Whipps also cautioned against deep-sea mining as a short-sighted economic solution, highlighting the greater importance of sustainable practices for future generations.
In a recent interview, Surangel Whipps Jr., the President of Palau, extended an invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump to join him in snorkeling as a means to highlight the devastating effects of climate change. Whipps expressed, “I think it’s good if we go snorkeling and look at things” to underscore the serious implications global warming poses to vulnerable nations like Palau, which could see its atolls submerged in the future.
Whipps elaborated on the dangers of inaction, stating, “The cost of not doing anything about it (climate change) is going to be even worse… we need to look at it in those terms.” He urged Trump to consider the long-term impacts of climate change on future generations, emphasizing the broader threat to all countries, including the United States, which has coastal areas at risk.
Despite being a reliable U.S. ally in the region, Palau has felt the repercussions of reduced international aid under Trump’s administration, affecting ocean monitoring programs. Whipps cautioned that the U.S. withdrawal from climate initiatives may result in China gaining influence, noting that “China is actually doing more for climate change these days than probably the U.S.”
Whipps, a proponent for a moratorium on deep-sea mining due to environmental concerns, stated that the potential adverse effects on marine ecosystems are not yet fully understood. He criticized countries that prioritize short-term economic gains from mining over the long-term health of their environments, stating, “You may think you’re saving your people now, but you’re really destroying their future.”
The President of Palau called for a cohesive regional approach to climate issues, advocating for stronger commitments to transitioning away from fossil fuels, reminiscent of the collective global response during the COVID-19 pandemic. He summarized, “Climate change is like the slow death,” reinforcing the urgent need for actions that consider the well-being of future generations.
The President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr., has reached out to President Trump, advocating for a snorkeling experience to illicitly educate him on the impacts of climate change. Whipps emphasized the dire consequences of inaction and the urgency of addressing climate change, not only for Palau but for all nations. The call for unity and immediate action against climate degradation underscores the need for a collective global response.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
