Makerusa Porotesano joins his wife Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner on UN stage after she reads CLIMATE POEM for daughter Matafele Peiman

http://www.mvariety.com/regional-news/69488-world-leaders-cheer-small-island-speaker =========================World leaders cheer small island speaker ====================By Giff Johnson ====================MAJURO ======================Before hundreds of world leaders at the United Nations in New York City Tuesday, Marshall Islander Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner delivered a memorable oration for climate action in the form of a poem to her daughter. Her eloquent words and forceful delivery sparked the delegates to rise in the staid General Assembly hall for an extended ovation at the conclusion of her remarks that ended the opening ceremony of the U.N.’s Climate Summit. She was joined at the podium by her husband, Makerusa Porotesano, with their baby daughter, Matafele, in his arms. ============================= She was wrapped in a “jaki-ed,” the finely woven traditional clothing mat that is a signature product of Marshall Islands weavers.================ She said she was speaking not only as a Pacific islander but as a mother representing the world.================ “The price of inaction is so high,” she said in her opening remarks. “It is mothers like me who are standing up (for climate action).” She asked world leaders to “take us along for your ride,” and promised, “we won’t slow you down.”================== She then stepped down from the podium used by the previous speakers to a microphone specially set up for her performance of the poem to her daughter. Without notes, she delivered a two-minute poem to her daughter that spoke to the world about her fears of climate change and the need to fight through roadblocks that are preventing action to solve climate problems. The ovation that followed recognized the impressive performance from the 26-year-old poet and teacher who has already challenged people’s comfort zones with her video performances of “History Project,” “Tell Them,” and “Lessons from Hawaii.” During Tuesday’s presentation at the U.N., Jetnil-Kijiner looked world leaders in the eye and challenged them to action. “We deserve to do more than just survive,” she said. “We deserve to thrive.”======================== Closing her poetry oration to her daughter, she said lovingly: “Close your eyes in peace, we won’t let you down.” World leaders stood and cheered.=============================== But will they take the action that Jetnil-Kijiner, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and others at the summit opening asked for?================================= Following Jetnil-Kijiner’s speech, the one-day summit immediately broke into smaller groups where country leaders were expected to issue statements of their commitments and plans to deal with climate. Ban said he hoped Tuesday’s summit would help world leaders gain momentum to forge a meaningful plan of action when they meet in Paris for climate negotiations next year.