The concerns of the Pacific Islands, on the front line of climate change, are at the heart of the United Nations work, said Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday, at a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), an intergovernmental organization, which holds UN Observer status. The meeting, at UN Headquarters in New York, comes shortly after […]
Tag: Climate
Living with rising seas in the Pacific Islands
As the oceans continue to rise due to a warming world on the coastline of the Pacific region, island residents have not given up hope. They try to find a way to adapt even with limited resources. Moce Islanders from Lau Group in Fiji, for instance, have to leave the land their families have lived […]
Ouvéa, a fragile paradise
Nicknamed “the island closest to paradise,” Ouvéa is considered one of the most beautiful atolls in the Pacific. Part of the lagoons of New Caledonia, it was registered in 2008 as a World Heritage Site under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Its exceptional biodiversity, long preserved by a way of life […]
Winds of Change in the Isles
This is a story of a dream to revive ancient canoe technology in the Pacific Islands as a cultural tourism venture. It is a story of wonder and pride and holds the answers to the future.
Photo Essay : On the Frontline of Climate Change and Displacement
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]