Pacific leaders agree climate change discussions no longer scientific but ethical

Climate change negotiations in Germany wrapped up with world leaders deciding the moral dilemma of reducing global warming.

Pacific Community Director General Dr. Colin Tukuitonga says climate change is beyond economic survival and it is now a moral issue world leaders must take a stand on.

He says Pope Francis reassured Pacific leaders of his support when they met him in Rome before the COP 23 talks in Bonn.

"Mostly people now are saying that clearly climate change is not a scientific discussion anymore it's actually a moral ethical one."

Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Nauru President Baron Waqa and Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai had an audience with Pope Francis in Rome, before they travelled to Germany for the COP 23 talks.

"The leaders made the statement about the negative impact of climate change, the failure of the some of the worlds' leaders to act decisively so it was all pretty direct," says Dr. Tuikuitonga.