Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology Aminath Shauna has delivered a heartfelt message that underlined the harsh reality the Maldives is facing as the COP26 plenary sessions in Glasgow, Scotland came to an end.
The weeks-long summit concluded with a deal in hand as countries yet again agreed on another half-measured climate agreement.
According to the BBC, the Glasgow Climate Pact is the first-ever climate deal to explicitly plan to reduce coal, the worst fossil fuel for greenhouse gases.
The deal also presses for more urgent emission cuts and promises more money for developing countries - to help them adapt to climate impacts.
But the pledges don't go far enough to limit temperature rise to 1.5C and the disappointment that brought was evident from the Minister's remarks.
Minister Shauna noted that this progress is not in line with the urgency and scale required. She said that what is balanced and pragmatic to other parties, will not help the Maldives in time.
Saying that it would be too late for the Maldives, Minister Shauna said that while for some loss and damage may be the beginning, of conversation and dialogue, but for the Maldives, it is a matter of survival.
Shauna noted that those who have other options decide how quickly they want to act to save others. She said that it has been said that the technology is available and that trillions are spent on fossil fuels and that it is clear that this is not about the lack of science or funding.
The Minister gave a stark reminder of the future, by reminding the session that the world has 98 months to half global emissions.
Minister Shauna reminded the hall that the difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees is a death sentence for the Maldives.
