I had planned to write this first blog post while waiting in Auckland for our flight to Indonesia, relaxed with a coffee in hand.
Mother nature had other plans.
Christchurch Airport had no aeroplanes this morning. That’s right, an airport with no aeroplanes. Heavy fog had settled on the tarmac and travellers had to settle on the terminal floor.
This was a timely reminder for my time at the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings. No matter what we do or how we prepare, we are always going to be at the mercy of mother nature. And so it follows that ‘good’ development will recognise this, especially as unpredictable weather patterns increase.
The annual meetings this year are being held in Bali, Indonesia. This host country knows what it’s like to live at the mercy of Mother Nature. Indonesia has in recent weeks experienced two deadly earthquakes and the resulting tsunamis. I don’t think they would mind a bit of Christchurch fog.
I managed to wrangle a seat on the first flight to Auckland. I never thought I would write these words - Thank goodness for Jetstar?!
On the flight I was seated next to Laki or as he now puts it “Lucky”. Laki is from Tokelau and says he is lucky to live in Auckland (even if he is delayed on his flight home today). Because his home island is salty and sinking. In his words “the waves crash closer and closer”.
Laki was in Christchurch for a church conference, he said only god can save his country. When I explained I was attending the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings, he looked skeptical and said he would keep praying. He also wanted me to marry his godson. So I agreed that he should keep praying!
So while this might seem like a last minute blog post, I now travel to the annual meetings with one question in mind: How do we develop greater global resilience to climate change?
I know that in my specific case, Burger King for breakfast does the trick (whoops! I was stressed! #balibody).
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All posts by Institute delegates reflect their own thoughts, opinions and experiences.