The Pacific islands are drowning, we need the world’s help

As prime minister of Samoa I urge the global leaders who will gather at our small islands summit next week to rise above the rhetoric and forge binding agreements on climate change

Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. 'In Samoa and in New York, our experience as the 'canaries in the coalmine' must finally be understood by the international community and acted on.' Photograph: Richard Vogel/AP