NEW YORK — Global warming is escalating, and the Caribbean region remains highly vulnerable to climate change. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda delivered a firm message to fossil fuel providers in the Global South.

Similar to other small island developing states, the Caribbean is at the forefront of climate change and has had to reconstruct without sufficient support from major greenhouse gas emitters.

On Monday (Sept. 23), Browne cautioned large oil companies that their ability to exploit the natural resources of the Global South is limited. These companies have extensively extracted and profited from small island states without adequately compensating them for their resources.

Browne emphasized to the United Nations, “As we transition to renewable energy, it is crucial that wealthy, industrialized nations compensate for the loss and damage they have inflicted on our communities.” He also reminded developed nations that their high emissions are exacerbating a problem that will affect future generations, with the world likely surpassing the 1.5-degree Celsius limit established in the Paris Agreement.

The Caribbean has recently experienced hotter days and extremely warm nights, while the world has witnessed its hottest summer on record.

Browne stressed, “And to the Carbon billionaires, your profits should contribute to a sustainable future, not your lavish lifestyles. Wealthy countries and industrial giants must fulfill their obligations and invest in a sustainable and fair future.”

Prime Minister John Antonio Briceño of Belize also criticized global leaders for their slow adoption of solutions to address the worsening climate crisis.

At the ‘Summit of the Future,’ Briceño expressed that the world’s climate goals are becoming increasingly unattainable, with no concrete plans in place. “There has been no effective global response to indicate that we will take the necessary actions we have failed to take,” he noted.

Briceño highlighted that since the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement, the world has continued to experience progressively hotter summers. His comments underscore the frustration of small island states as they bear the brunt of climate inaction.