Oratory Competition Winner
Sam S. Telii
Class 7 Student, Nauti Primary School, Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu
Commemoration of the Commonwealth day – 13th March 2006
Mr. Chairman, Honourable judges, Pule Kaupule Funafuti, Acting Director of Education, Honourable guests, parents & guardians, my fellow competitors, ladies & gentlemen.
© Pepetua Latasi, 2006.
Winning orator, Sam S. Telii, a Form 1 Student from Tuvalu, compels his audience with his remarks "While we try to stop it, we should also find ways to live with it." Adaptation is one of WWF's strategies for mitigating the dangerous impacts of climate change on vulnerable Pacific Island nations. Great work Sam and congratulations!
Today, I would like to draw your attention to this great concern on global warming. Hands up those of you who have heard about global warming? Thank you! Those who raised their hands - I’m glad that you are aware of global warming. Those who did not - Are you sure you have never heard about global warming?
What is global warming?
Global warming is real and is changing climates. It is caused by the greenhouse effect which is the release of man-made polluting gases from burning fossils fuels that traps solar energy close to the earth.
This warming results in climate change. Coastal areas receive more rainfall that causes flooding, hurricanes, landslides and soil erosions.
Interiors become drier because of more moisture sucked from the soils causing droughts.
The decrease in water causes shortage of food and increase in diseases like – dengue fever, malaria & cholera.
The other effect of this warming is the melting of ice in the north and south poles that causes sea level rise. This is presently experienced by Tuvalu, especially in the last high tide, when we observed the highest tide in 2006.
For example:
- This is a photo taken on the second day of the highest tide in February. The Lotonui Falekaupule was surrounded by water. The third day was worse.
- This is my neighbour paddling her boat on the main road just outside my house.
(If you wish to have a close look at these photos, you may do so afterwards)
Therefore, global efforts to reduce this global warming should be carried out as discussed in the “Kyoto Protocol’.
Climate change is already here
And it is bound to get worse – no matter how much is done internationally to stop it. While we try to stop it, we should also find ways to live with it. However, we should be mindful of global warming and put our hands together in helping whichever way we can.
I hope you have been reminded of this global concern – “global warming”.
I greatly appreciate your time.
Fakafetai lasi!
Thank you.
Tuvalu mote Atua.
Name: Sam Samuelu Telii
Form: 1