Marine habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds are being damaged and in some cases destroyed. Marine habitats are being impacted by increasing ocean temperature, sea level rise, extreme weather events, reduced ocean oxygen levels and ocean acidification. The loss of habitats negatively impacts many marine species and shoreline protection.
Adaptation options for infrastructure, people and coastal ecosystems will be required in both near-term and long-term due to sea level rise. Changes in rainfall patterns have resulted in almost-annual flood events that damage major assets and threaten livelihoods. This has already occured in urban areas of Fiji and Kiribati
Health risks associated with climate change are projected to increase with the scale of impacts depending on emissions pathways. Health risks can arise from exposures to extreme weather and climate events, particularly increases in cyclone intensity, floods, droughts and heat waves.
The projected impacts of climate change on agriculture and fisheries will undermine food production systems, but in some cases enhance productivity. Impacts of climate change on food production include warming temperatures, severe cyclones, sea level rise, floods and droughts, saltwater intrusion into freshwater and soils, as well as loss of fish stocks from ocean warming and acidification. These can all increase instances of food insecurity and malnutrition in Pacific Island nations
Increased frequency, insensity and duration of climate change induced extreme weather events are causing widespread and severe impacts on individuals communities and infrastructure as well as ecosystems and their services.
That Ocean acidification directly impacts us all? It is the process where seawater becomes more acidified from the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels and other human activities. On top of the existential threat posed by Climate Change, Ocean Acidification will become increasingly problematic for our Pacific people given our reliance on the Ocean for Everything.
The overall objective of PacWastePlus is to generate improved economic, social, health and environmental benefits arising from stronger economic integration and the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment. The specific objectives is to "ensure the safe and sustainable management of waste with due regard for the conservation of biodiversity, health and well being of Pacific Island communities and climate change mitigation and adaptation requirements."
The Independent Pacific Island States are home to a diverse array of heritage sites. These include impressive marine and terrestrial ecosystems, sites evidencing the development if island societies, and placed of significance due to their connection with the customs of Pacific islanders. The World Heritage Conservation requires State parties to implement the legal measures needed to protect the World Heritage within their borders, but does not mandate what firm that legislation must take.
Three month total rainfall is typically used for monitoring grasslands, shallow rooted plants and small water body (e.g. small water tanks, streams) moisture deficits. Allow for uncertainity associated with island size, topography, geology and soil type. Information provided gives an indication of predicted total rainfall over the next three months, not how intense the rain may be in anyone event, nor how it may vary from month to month.
In this video, Steve Menzies of Flinch Marketing introduces the invasive species Mainstreaming Strategies and invited feedbacks from the audience through the use of Mentimeter.
