In the global climate change debate The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong is concerned that those who are already victims must be considered. 'The people of Kiribati are suffering a compromised daily life as storm surge, flooding, erosion and increased temperatures take their toll' he says. 'Prior to final submersion, the ability of the islands to sustain life will be severely decreased. How practical is it to build seawalls around these many islands. All day people are building seawalls at the same time as the waves and the high tides are taking them down, that’s the kind of problem we face’ he says, 'We are a small voice, how we can impact on international politics is very limited but I think what we are saying is very rational, very powerful because it’s true and should really touch on the human conscience, we hope it does'.