A string of remote Pacific island nations is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as rising seas, storms surges, land subsidence (sinking), changes to rainfall and stronger cyclones. The sheer variety of challenges faced by communities is illustrative at the Korova Settlement in Suva, Fiji. Korova is a coastal settlement with only […]
Category: Our region
Exodus of survival: A family’s refuge under threat
NESTLED among a small patch of mangroves on the tip of the Suva peninsula, hidden out of sight from the bustling city that continues to expand close by, the people of Korova exist with the bare necessities and an ancient past they’re holding on to for their survival. Since arriving on this once rubbish dump […]
Papua New Guinea: The Journey to Resilient Cocoa Clones
As I carefully walked down the steep, newly cleared mountain slope, I took in the thick majestic rainforest laid before me. The sight reminded me of my village, away from the skyscrapers and the noise of the city. My eyes took in the vast expanse. Arriving at the foot of the mountain at the location […]
Pushing environmental issues through ‘mojo’
Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme teamed up to host a one-day workshop on mobile journalism (also called “mojo”) for environmental reporting at the Laucala campus in Suva this week. More than 25 journalism students participated in the workshop, which introduced students to the principles and techniques […]
New Coconut Planting Method
The Vanuatu Government is currently working on a National Coconut Strategy to revive the coconut industry of Vanuatu, due to the effects of climate change and cyclones growing increasingly stronger.
Impact of climate adaptation methods used for Nguna and Pele
Pele and Nguna islands are off-shore islands of Efate, Shefa Province, with the distance between their closest points about 100 metres. Pele with a population of 400 has a land area of 4.3 square kilometres, highest point of 198 metres and with four villages. Nguna is a bigger island with a population of 1,300 (2009 […]
Living on the Edge of Climate Change
The sinking island of Fanalei STANDING outside his home at Fouele settlement, Fredrick Maeaba gazes across the calm waters of Port Adam passage in the southern region of Malaita. His eyes were fixed on Fanalei Island, located some four kilometres across the waters. He was once a resident on that island. But six years ago […]
Urban Flooding, a New Threat to the Capital of Solomon Islands
LEADERS of Solomon Islands, a tiny country in the pacific now realise the importance of preparedness to comprehend the impact of climate change and the changing weather pattern. In recent years, climate change has brought in new challenges for the local government and other stakeholders to mitigate. Preparedness was weak and slow though both local […]
The Island Way of Addressing Climate Change
The people of Mbuke Island in Manus Province, Papua New Guinea are making progress through adaption and mitigation efforts to address climate change. The Mbuke islanders have silently suffered the long term effects of climate change, caused by global warming, for over five decades now. With a population of 420, the people have seen and […]
Farms under water
THERE is nothing Rama can do but watch as saltwater slowly creeps up his six and a half-acre sugarcane farm in Varavu, coastal Ba. The 68-year-old said the last time he harvested cane of any real value was three years ago. Every time the tide pulls in, Rama says, another few precious millimetres of what […]