Obama describes islands as the “canary in the coal mine”

• Former U.S. President Barack Obama addressed the threat faced by island nations due to rising sea levels

• He praised current U.S. President Joe Biden for committing to providing $3 billion to support the most vulnerable countries to climate change

In his first address to the delegates attending COP26 Summit, former U.S. President Barack Obama addressed the threat faced by island nations due to rising sea levels. He described islands as the canary in the coal mine and called for action on the climate crisis.

At an event on Partnerships for Island Resilience with leaders of island states, Obama acknowledged his Hawaiian heritage and called himself an island kid.