Laingane Italeli Talia, the attorney-general of Tuvalu

The Hague, December 13 (RHC)-- In The Hague, the International Court of Justice has heard more testimony and arguments this week on how the unfolding climate catastrophe is creating an existential crisis for low-lying Pacific island nations.  Those countries are demanding wealthy, polluting nations be held legally responsible for addressing the crisis they created. 

Laingane Italeli Talia, the attorney-general of Tuvalu -- which could soon become the first country to be wiped from the map due to sea level rise -- said:  “Tuvalu may soon become uninhabitable.  In these circumstances, there can be no question that our fundamental right to self-determination is being violated.  And in these proceedings, there is unsurprisingly considerable consensus across participants that climate change is impeding the right to self-determination.”

Friday was the last day of hearings at the World Court, which is expected to publish its final advisory opinion on the matter in the new year.