"The challenges brought about by climate change are a reality. We cannot continue to be passive. We need decisive action by Governments and undustries throughout the world. This is a universal problem and if we do not make a collective effort, we will all suffer the consequences"

This was a key statement  by Maltese MEP Dr Miriam Dalli, who represented the Socialist and Democrats in the European Parliament during a Parliamentary debate on Climate Change during the ongoing preparations for the International UN Summit, COP21, to be held in Paris later on this year.

"Individual efforts by citizens are not enough. Some were of the opinion that climate change was something that would go away on its. What we are experiencing today is a totally different reality," stated Miriam Dalli.

Dalli explained that climate change will shortly become a major contributor to mass migration between one continent and another. Dalli also noted that while it is the larger, more developed countries in the world that contribute the most to Greenhouse Gas Emissions, it is the smaller developing countries which foot the bill.

Miriam Dalli insisted that all relevant actors, including all the Member States must ratify the Kyoto protocol and on behalf of her political group she called upon Commission Miguel Arias Canete to make sure that the European Union be at the forefront of international negotiations in order to reach a global agreement which makes a real difference. World leaders, she concluded, have the  opportunity to be courageous and address this challenge now.