He noted that Caribbean countries were among the first to “sound the alarm about global warming,” as climate change threatens their economic viability and “sometimes even their very existence.” He underlined that the predicted increase in frequency and intensity of hurricanes in the region will impact severely the tourism industry that accounts for an important part of many small island developing States’ gross domestic product. Ban stated that the global financial crisis and climate change can be addressed “in tandem,” highlighting the link between achieving economic prosperity and preserving the environment, and called for making the transition to a new green economy a priority. [The Statement]
