In an address at the United Nations Climate Change Summit, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley made it clear that the time for decisive climate action to protect Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly in the Caribbean, is now.
She called out Western leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden, for the unequal allocation of financial resources to developing nations. Highlighting the urgent needs of Caribbean nations like Jamaica, she demanded fairer climate financing and accountability in addressing the global climate crisis.
Mottley’s bold advocacy resonated as a call for justice and equity in international climate policy.
“We are one,” she proclaimed, emphasising shared responsibility as a global family, united in the pursuit of a sustainable future. “Together, we must consciously work to find solutions that benefit us all.”
Mottley drew upon profound truths about interconnectedness found in spiritual traditions worldwide. “Desmond Tutu said it best: ‘My humanity is bound up in yours. I am because you are; I am because we are.’ This fundamental understanding urges us to summon the moral courage necessary to confront and resolve the injustices humanity faces today, forging pathways to new opportunities for all.”
She articulated the clear mandate for action: “Past generations ended wars, abolished slavery, and declared equality for all. These monumental achievements didn’t materialize from complacency—they demanded courageous leadership! Now, world leaders must rise to the challenge and tackle the climate crisis head-on!”
She strongly requested the gathering of world leaders, technocrats, and strategists “to summon the global moral strategic leadership necessary,” to better deal with this pertinent issue affecting people all over the world.
Her message was unequivocal: “Climate change is real, it is here, and it demands our immediate attention!”
While its impacts are felt across the globe, small island nations like those in the Caribbean face imminent danger from rising seas, escalating storms, and increasingly erratic weather patterns. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
“The Caribbean, once celebrated for its natural beauty, now confronts dire threats. Our environment, tourism industry, and way of life are all on the line,” asserted a review panel on climate change, which further stated that Mottley’s advocacy is not merely for Barbados; it’s a clarion call for all vulnerable regions confronting climate threats, Mottley, however, articulates the gravity of the situation and insists on immediate action.
The review panel stated that Mottley’s commitment is rooted in her firsthand experiences witnessing the devastation inflicted by hurricanes and coastal erosion. She understands the silence surrounding these issues, but more critically, she comprehends the suffering it inflicts. This urgency fuels her message, ensuring her words resonate far beyond the Caribbean.
“Mottley did not emerge as a global climate leader by accident. Her intelligence, compassion for people, and unwavering determination drive her advocacy,” the review panel stated.
The Barbadian leader is described as an exceptional communicator, blending personal stories with scientific evidence and moral imperatives to deliver a message that the world cannot ignore. She brings a vision of hope—a future achievable only through immediate action. She compels us to evolve from self-serving interests today to a broader responsibility for tomorrow.
“A great speaker, able to explain complicated things in a way that’s easy to understand. She knows how to tell stories mixing personal experiences, scientific facts, and moral arguments to create a message everyone must hear.
“She doesn’t bring a message of sadness, but of hope and a better future if we act now. She wants us to change how we think from only caring about ourselves today, to caring about everyone tomorrow,” noted the review panel.
Mottley envisions an unequivocal world where all nations—large or small, affluent or struggling—unite to confront this global crisis.
Recognising the power of collective action, she has mobilised the Caribbean to stand united in climate action. Under her leadership, CARICOM has laid out concrete actions: to drastically reduce pollution, secure necessary financial support for climate resilience, and elevate awareness of the unique challenges faced by island nations.
Additionally, she collaborates with allies from the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, acknowledging their shared struggles and advocating tirelessly for urgent global climate action. This coalition of island nations is gaining unprecedented momentum, amplifying their voice on the world stage.
“Mia Mottley has changed the World Climate conversation in a big way, she uses her position to challenge the way things are to point out unfairness, and to demand better from the world’s most powerful countries,” the review panel added.
Additionally, Mottley’s speeches at global forums have forced world leaders to pay attention to the eminent dangers posed by climate change.
Furthermore, she advocates for transforming the world’s money systems because they are not helping small countries to adequately deal with climate problems. She suggested real solutions, like forgiving debt for vulnerable countries and giving them more money to fight climate change.
“Mia Mottley is a brave advocate for Small Island Nations. She isn’t afraid to talk to the world’s most powerful leaders, reminding them of their promises and demanding they do more to fix the climate crisis,” the critic adds. “She knows that building relationships and finding common ground is important for solving climate change, but she is not afraid, to tell the truth to powerful people, to challenge them when they are too comfortable, and to remind them of their responsibilities …she has earned the respect of world leaders even as she pushes them to do more.”
With Mia Mottley leading the charge, we have a formidable champion for Climate Justice—a leader who embodies tenacity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to achieving a sustainable future for all. The time for action is now—let us unite, inspired by her vision, to pave the way for a safer, more equitable tomorrow.
“Her voice, once a lone voice from a small island has become a powerful force in the world,” declares the review panel.
[R.A.]