As another set of uninspiring UN climate negotiations draws to a close in Lima, the first college in the Pacific Islands, the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), has just voted unanimously to divest from fossil fuel companies. The Republic of the Marshall Islands comprises over 1,000 small, low-lying islands that are home to almost 70,000 people. With rising tides and floods already submerging their homelands, the Marshallese people have a great deal to teach the world about what will happen if we do not take serious action on climate change. “We need all of our friends and our colleagues in the Pacific Region and around the world to take note, spread the word and become leaders in this movement to divest from fossil fuels”, said CMI President Carl Hacker. “It is critical that our voices and our actions are taken into account as we move forward in discussions concerning climate change and the formulation of policies that will preserve our islands, our histories, our cultures and our ways of life. “The Pacific Region has to be a leading voice in raising this awareness and do what ever we can in our own home islands to walk the talk of divestment of fossil fuels and climate change,” concluded Mr. Hecker. Responding to the news, Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, Divestment Spokesperson for 350.org Pacific said: “We commend the College of the Marshall Islands for taking the leadership that the planet needs. As people on the frontline of climate change, we are in a unique position to show the world what should to be done to resolve the climate crisis. We don’t need more international talkfests - we need concrete action by individuals and institutions willing to put their money where their mouths are to stop global warming. “I call on other Pacific institutions to follow CMI’s lead and stop investing in the industries which are destroying our future,” concluded Ms. Jetnil-Kijiner. CMI’s decision makes it one of the first colleges in the Pacific Region to divest, following New Zealand's Victoria University, which committed to divest from fossil fuels in early November, and the Australian National University, which divested from two fossil companies in early October.