Excerpt and Photo from pressreader.com
On an island in Malaita, Solomon Islands, 13-year-old Timothy visits his ancestral home for the first time, alongside his grandmother and mother. His family, like many Pacific families, relies on the land and sea for survival, but climate change has disrupted their lives.
When Timothy was born, rising seas and coastal erosion forced his family to abandon their home and relocate to the mainland. Rising seas and coastal erosion ate away at the shoreline, while saltwater intrusion tainted their food and water. Now the island is less than half its original size, and encroaching waves are damaging Timothy’s ancestors’ graves.
Timothy’s story demonstrates the importance of climate finance and the upcoming United Nations climate conference, COP29.
Across the Pacific, climate change is driving many families from their homes. While most would prefer to stay, few can afford the critical infrastructure needed to safeguard their homes, their lives, and their livelihoods from extreme weather and sea level rise. This is where the decisions around climate finance at COP29 become so crucial.