Pacific

NZ adopts 'underwhelming' Commonwealth Ocean Declaration

30 Oct 24 - Commonwealth nations including Aotearoa and Pacific Island states have adopted the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration.

PNG will not attend UN COP29 summit: Foreign Minister Tkatchenko

30 Oct 24 - Tkatchenko said: “Papua New Guinea is making this stand for the benefit of all small island nations. We will no longer tolerate empty promises and inaction, while our people suffer the devastating consequences of climate change.”

Climate on the agenda at Commonwealth heads of govt meeting

22 Oct 24 - Climate change and the fate of global oceans will be in sharp focus at the meeting in Samoa, which will feature King Charles and possibly Elon Musk.

Oil spill from Manawanui shipwreck: recovery 'challenging'

8 Oct 24 - People living on the southern coast of Upolu have reported the strong smell of oil, highlighting concerns about a spill from New Zealand naval ship the HMNZS Manawanui.

NASA analysis shows irreversible sea level rise for Pacific islands

7 Oct 24 - In the next 30 years, Pacific Island nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji will experience at least 15 centimeters of sea level rise, regardless of whether greenhouse gas emissions change in the coming years.

Bats and bees help ni-Vanuatu predict storms — but will climate change interfere?

18 Sep 24 - In disaster-prone Vanuatu, Indigenous ni-Vanuatu people traditionally rely on plants and animal species as indicators that predict extreme weather events and help them prepare.

World Bank head sees climate change devastation in Tuvalu

12 Sep 24 - Since taking on the role of World Bank President, Ajay Banga has visited every region where the World Bank operates.

Climate change leaves future of Pacific Islands tourism 'highly uncertain'

11 Sep 24 - The Pacific Islands are scattered across a vast area of ocean, with some of the clearest waters in the world, and pristine beaches and rainforests.

Three ways Pacific nations are adapting to climate change

10 Sep 24 - Vunidogoloa holds the unenviable title as the first community in the Pacific forced to relocate due to climate change.

A rare behind the scenes look at the Pacific power tussle

6 Sep 24 - Tonga’s sleepy capital Nuku’alofa was buzzing last week as leaders from across the Pacific region descended upon it for the annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting.

‘Immoral and unacceptable’: Tuvalu calls on Australia to set urgent deadline to end fossil fuels

30 Aug 24 - A day after agreement was ratified at the Pacific Island Forum, the country’s climate minister says ‘root cause of climate change’ must be addressed.

‘The wells are salty’: how the invading ocean is contaminating Vanuatu’s water

19 Aug 24 - As the climate crisis causes the Pacific to rise, the archipelago’s water is increasingly unsafe to drink.

How the small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu drastically cut plastic pollution

1 Jul 24 - With lagoons once choked by rubbish, pressure from the appalled community led the government to ban certain single-use products.

Tuvalu is being swallowed by the ocean. Its people face a difficult choice.

24 May 24 - In a suburban cream-brick church in Melbourne’s outer west, 5000 kilometres from a homeland facing extinction, the mellifluous voices of a congregation of Tuvaluans rise in song.

Widespread flooding in Fiji’s West region

21 Mar 24 - Unrelenting torrential downpours over the weekend in Fiji’s Western Division caused widespread flooding in the region.

The Marshall Islands aren’t giving in to sea level rise

5 Feb 24 - The precariously placed island nation has put together a comprehensive—if expensive—plan to survive sea level rise.

Flying hurts the planet but it’s vital for island tourism. Is there a greener way?

22 Dec 23 - Electric aviation and renewable energy among shifts needed for the Pacific to build a more sustainable tourist industry.

Pacific women are among the most vulnerable to extreme weather

24 Nov 23 - Roughly 90 kilometres from northern Bougainville, the Carteret Islands were the first place in the world to move people due to climate change-related sea level rise.

Australia boosts regional security influence with Tuvalu accord

13 Nov 23 - Australia has signed a security, climate change and migration accord with Tuvalu, which analysts say also highlights Canberra’s attempts to counter China’s growing influence in the region.