Palau, a small island nation in the Pacific, is increasingly threatened by climate change, with rising sea levels and more frequent severe weather events putting its nearly 20,000 residents at risk of becoming climate refugees. President Surangel Whipps voiced his heartbreak during a recent UN assembly, where he condemned the anti-science rhetoric from leaders like Donald Trump, which reflects a troubling global trend of climate denialism. As the UN climate summit Cop30 approaches, the stakes are high for vulnerable nations like Palau, which are already experiencing the dire consequences of climate inaction. The summit aims to address critical issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, financial support for developing countries, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. However, the effectiveness of these discussions is jeopardized by political divisions and the insufficient commitments made by many nations to meet climate targets. The urgency for a unified global response to climate change has never been more pressing, as the impacts of climate breakdown threaten millions worldwide.