climate change action

Political leaders, diplomats and negotiators are meeting for two weeks of talks amid a growing sense of urgency.

It began with the bang of a gavel in a cavernous hall on the outskirts of Madrid.

The latest round of UN climate talks. More than 25,000 people, more than 50 heads of state.

And an urgent call to action from the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made the call while addressing the United Nations.

He told the General Assembly that climate change was the over-riding policy preoccupation of his government.

Tuilaepa said it was a societal problem requiring a decisive response from the global community.

He called on leaders to treat the planet as a single constituency and act now to save it.

Tuilaepa alluded to the short term views of certain leaders acting in their own political self-interest rather than addressing the greatest threat to the planet.