Sometimes, the biggest ideas come from the smallest of places. In other times, desperation pushes individuals, groups or nations to bite off more than they can chew.

In the case of the Marshall Islands, both of the above statements may be true.

In most regards, the Marshall Islands can be regarded as a small nation, with little pull on the global stage. The islands were ruled by Germany, Japan and the United States before gaining independence in 1979. The five islands and 29 atolls combine for about 181 square kilometres, slightly smaller than Vancouver and Burnaby combined.

The total population is estimated at about 68,000 in 2009, and 24 of its atolls are uninhabited. With few natural resources, the country relies on foreign aid, fishing and tourism to keep its economy running.

But it is this unlikely setting where we find the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership, which may one day rival the Kyoto Protocol as the leading milestone in the global fight against carbon emissions.

The story begins, in a way, back in June. Marshall Islands already was feeling the effects of a severe drought when the ocean began rising.

According to officials, storm surges and tides dramatically higher than usual began being noticed in the capital of Majuro. Soon enough, the sea water flooded the city and other parts of the country. The Majuro airport’s runway partly disappeared under the rising water, and a state-of-emergency was declared.

With the highest point on the islands no higher than a few metres, Marshall Islands — along with many of the Pacific island nations in its vicinity — are among the most directly affected by climate change. Officials said the floods, which saw salt water overrun the islands, further depleted freshwater supplies and worsened the drought damage.

Worse, with the ocean’s water level continuing to rise, many in the country fear the complete “sinking” of Marshall Islands.

According to a report from Responding to Climate Change, when U.S. emergency response teams landed in Majuro, vice-president Tony De Brum greeted them with a clear message: “Welcome to climate change.”

The event was the impetus behind the Majuro Declaration, the key document produced at this year’s Pacific Islands Forum Summit. The annual meeting gathers 13 nations in the region, along with Australia and New Zealand, to discuss important topics concerning the area.

This year, it was clear that climate change was that topic.

The Majuro Declaration itself, now signed by the leaders of the 15 nations, is light on specifics. The 12-page document does not list specific emission quotas that had to be met, unlike Kyoto. But pundits did point out that the document did make a few points that may drive a change in climate politics worldwide.

According to the Guardian, the declaration was open in its recognition of “the complete insufficiency of current efforts to address climate change.” The report also said the Pacific island nations are ready to phase down from carbon emissions entirely, and the Declaration asks larger nations to follow suit.