Rachael Le Mesurier: Cyclones show time to connect dots on climate change

Tanna villagers in the Middle Bush area pick through the remains of buidlings destroyed by Cyclone Pam. Photo / Kirsty Johnston

As HMNZS Canterbury delivers cyclone relief supplies to Vanuatu, the Ministry for the Environment has released figures showing that carbon pollution which New Zealand is adding to the global total increased 42 per cent from 1990 to 2013. It's time to connect the dots.

Cyclone Pam was billed as the worst storm to hit the Pacific. I've been deeply inspired by the stories of survival, the generosity of New Zealanders and the humanitarian work to help people rebuild after they have lost so much and are now at serious risk of disease and hunger.

But it's not enough to address the symptoms and not the causes. Dr Christopher Brierley, lecturer in Climate Modelling at University College London, says, "Storms as strong as Cyclone Pam have become more likely due to climate change. The sea level rise we're causing makes the surge from any storm even more devastating."

At the UN climate change conference in December, New Zealand's commitment - or Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) - will state how much we're willing to reduce carbon pollution. Our INDC will be judged against other countries' efforts and what science says is necessary. Surely it should also be judged against what the Pacific needs to avoid disasters like Cyclone Pam.

We need to listen to Pacific nations, which are already facing the impact of climate change.

Baldwin Lonsdale, president of Vanuatu: "We see the level of sea rise, the cyclone seasons, the warm, the rain. Yes, climate change is contributing to this."

Anote Tong, president of Kiribati: "The hazard of global warming is a catastrophe that impinges on our rights ... and our survival. There will be a time when the waters will not recede."

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa: "The threats ... of climate change are increasing in severity. What if future cyclones would be similar to that mother of typhoons in the recent past? It would be total catastrophe for many of our Pacific Island nations."

Mr Malielegaoi said this last year and it's what we're seeing now. In 2012, Cyclone Evan was the worst storm to hit Samoa in more than 20 years. In January 2014, Cyclone Ian, the highest category cyclone on the scale, devastated Tonga. In March 2014, Cyclone Lusi pummelled Vanuatu. And just one year later, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands felt Cyclone Pam's fury.

The before and after images in Vanuatu paint a stark picture. It looked like the decks had been cleared. Along with the houses, gardens and trees. Oxfam has been working across Vanuatu for more than a decade, helping people to build clean water systems, grow healthy food, further their education - and protect themselves against climate change. We can't ignore the way super storms wipe out hard-earned progress, often funded by New Zealand taxpayers.

I've been heartened by how quick our government has been to provide support after Cyclone Pam. But when it comes to climate change, New Zealand is anything but supportive. We give with one hand, but withhold with the other.

New Zealand is not acting as a friend to Pacific nations in the international climate negotiations. We've shown minimal ambition, acted in short-term self-interest and tried to manipulate the rules to our benefit. Our pollution is still increasing, we have a dysfunctional Emissions Trading Scheme, the finance we provide for poor countries to adapt to climate change is lacking, and it should be new money additional to aid budgets. Our ministers keep repeating we are doing our fair share. We are not.

Countries are beginning to state their INDCs. The European Union and the United States have laid their cards on the table. The level of global ambition is increasing, but it's still a long way from keeping us below the globally agreed 2 degrees threshold. New Zealand's meagre commitment of a 5 per cent reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 needs to be significantly ramped up or it will be seen for what it is - a very small taro leaf.

Our brothers and sisters in the Pacific, facing 330km/h winds in traditional homes, deserve better. Our responsibility as global citizens means our government must stop making the problem worse and start legitimately being part of the solution.

Rachael Le Mesurier is executive director of Oxfam NZ.

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