Poor nations launched many cries for help at the world climate change conference yesterday but few were as poignant as the plea from the president of the Pacific island of Nauru. "Rain forests once abounded on Nauru . . . decorated by hanging orchids . . . Hundreds of bird species . . . made Nauru their home," said the island's President, Mr Kinza Clodumar.
Lamenting the environmental destruction already suffered by his South Pacific nation, Mr Clodumar said rising seas swollen by melting polar icecaps now threaten his people, who live on a coastal fringe just two metres above sea level.
"We are trapped, a wasteland at our back, and to our front, a terrifying, rising flood of biblical proportions," he said.
"Island countries are on the front lines of the global climate catastrophe . . . the crime is cultural genocide," he said. "It must not be tolerated."
Samoa's plea was just as heartfelt. "We are your coral reefs, your early warning signal that only the negligent would ignore," said the Environment Minister, Mr Tuala Sale Tagaloa, on behalf of small island states.
South Pacific island nations have targeted Australia, the world's biggest coal exporter, as a key culprit in driving up greenhouse gas emissions that many now accept trigger global warming and a resulting rise in sea levels.
Australia has drawn fire from rich nations in recent weeks for a stance that would actually lead to a rise in greenhouse gas emissions over coming years.
The Australian Environment Minister, Mr Robert Hill, sought to salve the wounds yesterday by saying recent government measures would in fact bring a cut of 4 per cent in Australia's per capita emissions.
"We are going well beyond what is contemplated by many others at this time," Mr Hill told the conference.
"We must particularly recognise those most acutely at risk, and for Australia, we think of our Pacific island friends," he added.