Location: New York, USA
Date: October 3, 2025
The President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, expressing the urgent need for concrete actions to combat the existential threat of rising sea levels. As the Pacific island nation continues to experience the devastating effects of climate change, Heine warned that the promises of wealthier nations to curb carbon emissions were no longer enough to save the atoll communities from being swallowed by the ocean.
Key Points from President Hilda Heine’s Speech:
- Urgency of Immediate Action
“We are not asking for promises anymore, we are asking for action,” President Heine stated in her address. The Marshall Islands, one of the world’s most vulnerable nations, faces the dire reality that its landmass could disappear by the end of this century if global warming continues unchecked. The islands, made up of 29 atolls and more than 1,000 islands, are located just a few feet above sea level. Already, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather events like typhoons have begun to displace communities and damage infrastructure. - Global Warming and Rising Sea Levels
The speech highlighted how global warming of just 1.5°C is pushing the islands toward irreparable damage. Heine called on wealthy countries responsible for most of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions to reduce their carbon footprints immediately and commit to more ambitious climate targets. She emphasized that current climate goals, set in previous UN climate agreements, would not be enough to secure the future of island nations like the Marshall Islands. “It’s not just about cutting emissions; it’s about acknowledging the history of exploitation and the injustice that the most vulnerable nations are now experiencing because of global negligence.” - Loss and Damage Fund
Heine strongly reiterated the Marshall Islands’ demand for a Loss and Damage Fund, a proposal that would provide financial assistance to countries suffering irreversible damage from climate change. Although some progress was made at previous UN climate conferences, the fund has yet to be fully realized and remains a contentious issue among wealthier nations who are hesitant to commit to large-scale reparations. The United States, Australia, and other major emitters have resisted the idea, with arguments centered on the difficulty of quantifying “loss” and concerns about setting precedents for future claims. - Climate Migration
Heine also raised concerns about the rising tide of climate refugees. The people of the Marshall Islands have already started migrating to neighboring nations like Fiji and Hawaii, and Heine called for international cooperation on climate migration policies that would ensure the rights and dignity of displaced communities. “We cannot and will not let our people become stateless,” she said. “The Marshall Islands may sink beneath the waves, but our people will live on, and they deserve the right to rebuild their lives with dignity and respect.” - A Call to Action for a New Global Climate Accord
Heine’s speech was a sharp reminder of the urgency that island nations face in the context of a global climate crisis. As global leaders continue to negotiate at UN summits, she emphasized the need for stronger, more binding commitments, stating: “Words are no longer enough. We need legally binding actions, not promises.” She urged for the creation of a framework that would allow island nations like hers to adapt to the changing environment, focusing on building resilient infrastructure, supporting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems that are critical to local economies.
Global Reactions:
The speech resonated with many Pacific Island nations and other vulnerable states that have long struggled to be heard in global climate discussions. Leaders from Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu expressed solidarity, calling for urgent action from developed nations to mitigate further climate damage and compensate for the ongoing losses suffered by low-lying states.
However, Heine’s address also highlighted the division that persists within global politics. While many developed countries have committed to net-zero emissions targets by 2050, many smaller island nations argue that this timeline is too late to save their communities.
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of Fiji remarked, “We are not talking about the future anymore; we are talking about survival today. If the Marshall Islands disappear, what will be left for the rest of us?”
A Global Wake-Up Call
As the world continues to grapple with the realities of climate change, the fate of the Marshall Islands stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. Rising sea levels are not a distant threat for these communities; they are an immediate crisis that requires the international community to come together in real and meaningful ways.
The Marshall Islands’ plea for climate justice is a call not only for environmental protection but also for human dignity. Heine’s words are a challenge to all nations to confront the climate emergency head-on with urgency and accountability.
Looking Ahead:
With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) scheduled for later this year, Heine’s speech will likely continue to echo in discussions about global climate governance and financial responsibility. Whether her call for stronger action will be heeded remains uncertain, but for the Marshall Islands, time is running out.
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