GREENPEACE. A child plays on the shore in Kiribati

The president of one of the world’s lowest-lying countries is well-placed to campaign for imminent action in the fight against global warming.

Advertising Read more

The Pacific islands of Kiribati (pronounced kiri-bass), are expected to be be underwater within the next 50 years.

President Anote Tong tells FRANCE 24 that while it’s probably too late to save his own country and its 100,000 citizens, Kiribati's impending fate may serve as a warning to world leaders ahead of the world’s next major climate summit, in Paris in December 2015.

Tong describes Kiribati as “the canary in the coalmine”.

The president of another small-island nation, James Michel of the Seychelles, tells FRANCE 24 that failing to act on climate change is “a collective crime against humanity”.

en/ptw/2014/10/16/WB_EN_WB_SOT_SEYCHELLES_NW036780-A-01-20141016.mp4

it

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe