LONDON, Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid a nation dying and destroyed by the impact of last week's Hurricane Maria, Dominica's Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, has rallied countries to unite and confront the war on climate change.
At the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister begged for solidarity at a time that has left his country homeless and hungry:
"I have left my bleeding nation to be with you here today because these are the moments for which the United Nation exists."
Prime Minister Skerrit explained that warmer air and sea temperatures caused by climate change were behind the two recent hurricanes that have affected nations across the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and ravaged the island of Dominica, which is currently in a state of emergency.
An impassioned Prime Minister pleaded with the General Assembly, rallying larger nations, in particular, to act:
"There is no more time for conversation. There is little time left for action. While the big countries talk, the small island nations suffer. We need action and we need it now."
Known for its unparalleled and unspoiled beauty, the small island nation has for 20 years held a national park with UNESCO World Heritage status. "The desolation is beyond imagination," described Prime Minister Skerrit:
"The stars have fallen! Eden is broken! 72,000 Dominicans lie on the frontline in a war that they did not start!"
Keeping to the theme of war, the Prime Minister called on military resources "standing idle" to be engaged for rescue and rebuilding efforts:
"Let Dominica today be that war... because currently, our landscape reflects a war zone."
Following the address in New York, the Prime Minister returned to Dominica to face the escalating death toll and a stark reality of the climate war on his doorstep.
Footage Of Prime Minister Skerrit At The United Nations General Assembly Available Here: http://bit.ly/2yAeHQH or https://we.tl/jVz9Qqob6J
