What We Owe the Water: It's time for a Fossil Fuel Treaty; Vantage Point Issue 4

by Kumi Naidoo

"From the flood-soaked streets of Lismore to the rising waters in the Pacific, the effects of climate change are here. Australia stands at a profound crossroads. It can continue to fuel the climate crisis as one of the world's largest fossil fuel exporters or it can become a true partner to its Pacific neighbours and lead the transition toward a fossil-free future.”
Genuine solidarity means more than symbolic gestures on the global stage. It means concrete ending the approval of new fossil fuel projects and supporting governments seeking to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.


This essay imagines a future where Australia stands as a courageous ally using its resources and power to build a better future rather than staying as a climate pariah, and where the Pacific becomes the lighthouse guiding the way.


Drawing on decades of activism — from anti-apartheid struggles in South Africa to standing alongside climate defenders across the Pacific — Naidoo explores the injustices that define this crisis. With stories from Australian flood survivors, Indigenous leaders protecting sacred lands, and Pacific Islanders fighting for the survival of their homes, Naidoo describes a grim the water that once sustained us is now loudly sounding the alarm.

Genres: Nonfiction

73 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

at a time where it feels people don't focus on climate action as much, this was a very refreshing read! great perspective on australia's (and other large exporters of coal/gas) responsibility in the climate crisis, and the impact on the pacific islands in particular.

loved this quote "Because in the end, we do not inherit the Earth and its waters from our ancestors. We borrow them from our children. When the water calls in our debt, we must answer not with fear but with fairness."