P.M. Tuilaepa schools Trump on climate change

By Sarafina Sanerivi 29 January 2017, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has a message for the United States President, Donald John Trump.

In relation to his denial of climate change, Tuilaepa, who is a vocal advocate of climate change awareness in the Pacific, said the United States President cannot deny the truth.

Tuilaepa made the comments during his weekly media programme.

As a leader himself, Tuilaepa said he understands that in a democratic state, the power of the people will always prevail.

This is why he Trump cannot turn a blind eye to the negative impact of climate change on the Pacific – and to an extent the United States of America.

“A leader cannot say that the country is not affected by climate change when everyone else in the community is facing it and living with the impact of climate change,” Tuilaepa said.

“The thing is up until now; they still haven’t fully recovered from the impact of Cyclone Katrina." 

“Not only that, I America they have had a lot of natural disasters. A lot of lives have been affected because of heavy rainfall and strong tornados.”

As rich and powerful as he is, Tuilaepa said Trump will also be affected by climate change.

 “Imagine having a strong tornado during the cold weather,” he said. 

“This can affect the power outrage. Even if you stay in a hundred-storey apartment, when the elevators don’t work, you will be stuck there and many lives can be affected too.

“There are a lot of things that we don’t know.”

Asked about the threat by Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, Tuilaepa said this is unlikely to happen.

“The truth is that can never happen. There is that phrase we always hear, common sense will finally prevail."

“You see Trump did not introduce anything new to do for America as President.”

Tuilaepa also took a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the aftermath of the First World War from 1914-1918.

“People thought that was the greatest war ever. But the truth is, if it weren’t for the United States of America, the war wouldn’t have finished." 

“So after the war, the leaders and the government of America set up an Isolationist Policy." 

“Isolationists advocated non-involvement in European and Asian conflicts and non-entanglement in international politics."

“Their main focus was to put America First. And that is what Trump is trying to do again."

“He is planning on making America first again."

“But during the Second World War, they (America) tried to stay away from it. But they ended up involving themselves because of the Pearl Harbor incident." 

“You see, they thought that just because stayed away, they wouldn’t end up being involved. But America fought as well. It was there that they (U.S) realised, that they have a duty to save the world. And they’ve been doing all these years.” 

And now Trump is bringing this up again, said Tuilaepa.

“He is fighting to put America first. But how can he do it? "

“That is just a dream; a stupid dream that can easily fool people. That is why a lot of people voted for him."

“But the truth is, most of the people America will never accept it because they understand the effects and impacts of climate change on them.” 

By Sarafina Sanerivi 29 January 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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