In a show of global cooperation, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced today that the island nation would pledge ¥50 billion ($450 million) to help Pacific island countries that are fighting against the problems caused by global warming. Minister Abe stated that the Japanese offer of $450 million is toward better recovery from natural disasters caused by climate change.
Announcement Came After Two-Day Meeting in Iwaki
The country’s leaders travelled to Iwaki, in Northern Japan, and met for two days. They came to the agreement of the Japanese offer of $450 million to the efforts in combating the effects of global warming on the surrounding island nations that are fighting rising sea levels and extreme weather.
Japanese Offer of $450 Million Aid to Come Over Three Years
The funds of the Japanese offer of $450 million will be parcelled out over a period of three years. It will go to help the Solomon Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands and other small islands in the Pacific Ocean, many that are already being threatened by rising sea levels. The funds will be used for fighting natural disasters, as well as providing renewable energy, waste management and obtaining access to clean water.
The Japanese offer of $450 million will also go to helping with training and exchange of travelling experts. All the participants vow to cooperate with each other toward encouraging investment and trade, as well as preserving ocean life.
Sparked by the Landmark United Nations Report
Last year, the United Nations released their report on climate change. The report stated that if nothing is done to curb greenhouse gas emissions, that by the end of this century, the world’s oceans could rise by as much as three feet.
Many island nations are sitting atop atolls of coral that are only meters above the level of the ocean and are under serious threat. They are one of the main concerns prompting the Japanese offer of $450 million.
Scientists say that global warming is caused mostly by the actions of humankind and the huge increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causing worldwide temperatures to rise. This is leading to sea ice melting, which is allowing Arctic glacier ice to melt as well, causing ocean water levels to go up.
The United Nations has called on all nations to work toward curbing greenhouse gases and taking on scalable, affordable solutions that will help now. The Japanese offer of $450 million is making a dent is what the world as a whole needs to do.
