‘Our Solutions are in Nature’ is the theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity observed annually on 22 May. Nature-based solutions can support climate change adaptation, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity provides the answer to a number of sustainable development challenges we face. Corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) has given the […]
Category: Our region
Eco-tourism major key to ‘tricky’ Pacific economic reset, says Leary
As New Zealand prepares to go to alert level two in the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, the attention turns to the recovery of the economy – and we must spare a thought for the economies of the Pacific. Most of the Pacific relies on tourism, as does New Zealand, however devastation of the industry has rendered […]
Tropical cyclone season officially over
Eight tropical cyclones crossed the Exclusive Economic Zones of the South Pacific this 2019 – 2020 tropical cyclone season that officially ended in April. In Meteorological terms, this is known as a ‘near normal’ season. Tropical Cyclones Rita, Sarai, Tino, Uesi, Vicky, Wasi, Gretel and Harold wreaked havoc across the Pacific islands highlighting the need […]
Effective Management of Medical Waste Essential During Pandemic
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, countries are now facing another challenge as a result: how to manage medical waste safely and effectively. Many types of additional medical and hazardous wastes are being generated during the pandemic, including infected masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE). The Secretariat of the Pacific […]
Forest loss slows globally as sustainable management grows
Globally deforestation continues, albeit at a slower rate, with 10 million hectares a year being converted to other uses since 2015, down from 12 million hectares a year in the previous five years, according to the key findings of a flagship report that is conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations […]
Wallis and Futuna counts FADs washed up on its coasts
Wallis and Futuna is counting the number of lost and stranded fish-aggregating devices (FADs) that wash up on its coasts so it can calculate the damage they cause. The campaign is being run by the Wallis and Futuna Fisheries Service. Bruno Mugneret, from the Department of Fishing and Management of Marine Resources in Wallis, said […]
UN climate talks postponed amid coronavirus pandemic
The United Nations-backed climate change conference (the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Glosgow, Scotland due to be held in November this year, has been postponed to 2021 due to uncertain times ahead amid the new coronavirus or COVID-19. The decision was taken by the COP […]
Climate change research aims to give back Pacific’s ‘sustainable voice
A University of Waikato researcher says some of the current colonial representations of climate change in the Pacific are obscuring Pacific voices and failing to recognise the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the fight against the changing climate. Dr Jessica Pasisi’s thesis, Niue Women’s Perspective and Experiences of Climate Change – a Hiapo Aproach, brings […]
Climate Change changes the Atolls’ lifestyles
In the past, the women of Ontong Java in Malaita Outer Islands used to harvest sea shells not far from the shores to sell for incomes. Today, the women abandoned their activities because the sea level rise has covered the harvesting areas. Jenny Asua, who comes from the island confirmed to Island Sun in an […]
The local hero protecting Papua New Guinea from DDT
When Joshua Wowo was a child, his uncle would take him on rambling walks through the lush forest surrounding their home in Papua New Guinea’s East New Britain Province. On these explorations, Wowo would be introduced not only to the beauty of his country, but also to the health risks facing its people. Joshua’s uncle […]