President Mohamed Nasheed has participated, along with Academy Award-winning film director and environmentalist James Cameron in the CNN International's “The Special Dabate on Earth's Frontiers: The Future of Energy”.
Speaking at the programme which was aired on CNN International today at 1730 hrs local time, President Nasheed said it was time especially for big emitting countries to find alternatives and move forward.
“If we cannot become carbon neutral by mid-century, then we won't be around here. It's as simple as that”, said the President.
President Nasheed also reiterated that climate change was not an issue of developing and developed countries.
However, he said, “industrialized countries have more capabilities and more means and there are people who are in trouble. If they want to lend a hand that's the decent thing to do."
Taking part in the debate in Seoul, South Korea from Los Angeles via 3D technology, the Director of “Avatar” pointed out a possible reason for the shift in public perception on climate change.
He said disinformation campaigns on climate change were “used to discredit science and steer public opinion away from any sense of social responsibility about climate change.”
Also featured in the debate were Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of Puma and Changhua Wu, Greater China Director of the Climate Group.
The debate hosted by CNN's Anna Coren was one of the two special programmes of extensive environmental coverage by the network to mark the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day.
Encore presentations of the programme will also be aired on 1 May at 1230 hrs, 2230 hrs and 2 May at 0100 hrs, 0700 hrs, 1230 hrs, and 2000 hrs, local time.