Essay by Eric Worrall
People should respect the handful of leaders who attended, not point at all the empty seats.
1.5C global warming breach likely as Australia defends Pacific climate talks
By climate reporter Romy Stephens and and foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic
The prime minister has defended the number of leaders attending a high-profile climate meeting in the Pacific Islands, as a United Nations report warns the world will breach the 1.5C global warming benchmark within the next five years.
The federal government had initially wanted world leaders to attend pre-COP next month, ahead of the main climate talks in Türkiye in November.
…
Reports said Australia was struggling to convince leaders outside the Pacific to attend a special meeting in Tuvalu, before Fiji’s foreign minister, Sakiasi Ditoka, gave the first public account of those going.
He said Antigua and Barbuda, Cabo Verde, Thailand, Maldives and Timor-Leste had so far agreed to send leaders to the event, and Germany, Mexico and South Korea will send ministers.
…
The prime minister also voiced his displeasure with the line of questioning.
“You are being so disrespectful to the Pacific leaders who are here,” he said.
“We need to actually have some respect for the process and respect for our Pacific leaders, and Australia has an absolute interest in engaging with the Pacific.”
…
Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/global-warming-breach-likely-as-albanese-defends-pre-cop-meeting/107108178
What can I say? I can’t believe they’re still pushing forward with this diplomatic embarrassment. I wish I had the time to attend in person, I’m sure it’s even funnier to watch up close.
This failed climate conference, if anyone bothers to remember, will stand in history as the turning point when national leaders stopped even pretending they care about climate change.
