ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, DECEMBER 14th, 2009_ Prime Minister Hon Tillman Thomas, on his way to the global summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, has described the dangers posed to Small Island States as a “planetary emergency, from which larger countries must not turn away.” Speaking just prior to boarding a flight at Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport for the start of his journey to Copenhagen, the Grenadian leader said he expects a positive outcome from the global conference, which will be attended by close to 100 world leaders. The Prime Minister, who is the Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), will play a pivotal role in discussions and negotiations for a new agreement governing the reduction in emissions of green house gases, which scientists believe, is causing an increase in global temperature. “We have planned long and hard for this event and we look forward to achieving a binding outcome at Copenhagen. For us in AOSIS, the scientific evidence is only one element of the conformation of this crisis. We also face the reality of warmer temperatures; destruction to coastal resources and more intensive hurricanes, so there’s no denying that. It’s our reality,” the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Thomas said he expects larger countries to support the AOSIS call for additional resources for mitigation and adaptation in the face of global warming. “The larger countries have to accept some historical responsibility and I expect them to respond positively. We have to look beyond national jurisdictions. This is a meeting that calls for managing the world, and I expect them to take that responsibility seriously,” the Prime Minister said. He said his optimism is based on the nature of the issue and impact on the preservation of the planet. The Prime Minister will join the rest of the Grenada delegation in Copenhagen. Finance Minister Nazim Burke has been appointed by Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean to act as Prime Minister.