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 […]
Stories
Posted inStory / Polynesia
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 […]
Posted inStory / Our region
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 […]
Posted inStory / Wallis and Futuna
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 […]
Posted inStory / Samoa
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 […]
Posted inStory / Niue
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 […]
Posted inStory / Melanesia
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 […]
Posted inStory / Papua New Guinea
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 […]
Posted inStory / New Caledonia
Threats to Pacific Islands’ Rich Biodiversity a Key Focus of the Conference
Conservation management of the rich biodiversity across the Pacific islands region is at the core of the 10th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas. An important event, this will help protect our valuable ecosystem services that the world depends upon. The conference will take place in New Caledonia at the Tjibaou Cultural […]
Posted inStory / Uncategorized
Pacific Island Countries move forward with Pacific Waste Management programme
Pacific island countries, supported by the European Union (EU) funded Pacific Waste Management Programme (PacWastePlus) concluded their intensive three-day programme steering committee meeting, acknowledging that waste management is a serious issue of concern for the region, especially hazardous wastes such as, E-waste and Asbestos as well as solid wastes, specifically Recyclables. Secretariat of the Pacific […]