Name: Christina Ora
Age: 17
Country: Solomon Islands
Native Language: Alu
I come from an island called Munia in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. This island was inherited by my family – it’s paradise; it’s home. Every holiday I used to go back there with my parents and siblings, from the capital Honiara where we usually live. But now, when we go back, because of salt water intrusion, we need to go to the next village to get fresh produce. For this reason the rest of my family have moved to the mainland, and much fewer people are living on the island.
The major issues faced by my country so far have been food shortages, and migration of people from their homes to the bigger islands. Villagers are forced to start a new life, and adopt a different culture. This often results in overcrowding and land disputes. All land belongs to its customary owners, so if people move onto another group’s land, they must pay large compensation and may trigger serious tension.
The thing that I would most like to tell leaders at COP15 is: You have been negotiating since the year I was born. You can’t tell us you need more time. My generation, your children and your grandchildren, have a right to a happy future. We need and we deserve a strong agreement – survival is not negotiable.
Taking strong action on climate change matters to me because I care.
It’s my future we’re talking about, it’s my generation’s future. Climate change is an ongoing issue, and the worst impacts will be seen during our lifetimes. Climate change is a matter of survival for many of us in the Pacific.
A big achievement during my time at COP15 would be if at the end of the conference, I could run up to the Australian chief negotiator, and be able to look her in the eye and shake her hand.
Beyond COP15, I would like to see Mr Obama riding around on a bicycle!
My vision for the future is one where small island developing states such as Solomon Islands can look up to countries like Australia, the US, the EU and Canada, and say we trust them not to take our home away from us.
