Mark Poynting
Climate and environmental scientist

As we have heard, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), which represents small, low-lying island nations, has gone out of conversation.

They have been one of the most vocal groups in demanding faster climate action, as these nations are truly on the front lines of global warming.

Rising seas pose an existential threat to countries like the Maldives, where about 80% of the land is less than 1m above sea level.

A study published in 2018 found that many low-lying atoll islands may become uninhabitable by the middle of this century due to regular coastal flooding.

Small islands, including those in the Caribbean, are also disproportionately affected by other climate hazards, such as tropical storms.

AOSIS members have made small contributions to climate change and generally do not have the resources to adapt to rising temperatures.

That explains why they are so angry about the deal that was put on the table last night, as they say “shows such contempt for our vulnerable people“.