25 percent of Vanuatu's 276,000 citizens lost their homes in 2015 when Cyclone Pam, a category 5 storm, devastated the South Pacific archipelago of 83 islands while wiping out two-thirds of its GDP. Satellite data show sea level has risen about 6mm per year around Vanuatu since 1993, a rate nearly twice the global average, while temperatures have been increasing since 1950. PORT VILA, VANUATU - DECEMBER 07: An aerial view of Erakor island and the coastline of Port Vila on Decemin Port Vila, Vanuatu. “Climate justice is both a moral imperative and a prerequisite for effective global climate action.”Īdvisory opinions have “tremendous importance and can have a long-standing impact on the international legal order,” Guterres said.

The landmark decision is “essential,” UN Secretary General António Guterres said in his remarks to the assembly. This is the first time the highest international court is called on to address the climate crisis. Two of the world’s largest climate polluters, the US and China, did not express support, but did not object meaning the measure passed by consensus. Wednesday’s resolution for an advisory opinion passed by majority, backed by more than 130 countries. The islands’ residents are still picking their way through the storms’ rubble. This year has already been rough for Vanuatu: It is currently under a six-month state of emergency after a rare pair of Category 4 cyclones pummeled the country within 48 hours during the first week of March.

'The climate time-bomb is ticking': The world is running out of time to avoid catastrophe, new UN report warns (Photo by Fida HUSSAIN / AFP) (Photo by FIDA HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images) Fida Hussain/AFP/Getty Images/File Heavy rain continued to pound parts of Pakistan on August 26 after the government declared an emergency to deal with monsoon flooding it said had 'affected' over four million people. TOPSHOT - A man (L) along with a youth use a satellite dish to move children across a flooded area after heavy monsoon rainfalls in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province, on August 26, 2022.

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