On Climate Change Effects in the Pacific Region

Host: I know that all Pacific island countries are trying hard to respond to climate change. What are the key issues for climate change in Pacific Region and how does climate change affect this region?

David Sheppard: Climate change is a real and major issue in Pacific. Some of the low-lying islands, such as those of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, have only limited height. So as sea level rises, they are particularly vulnerable. And also the issues such as the availability of fresh water is affected by the rising sea levels, and are also seeing changing climate within this region, such as increasing drought incidents in some countries. So climate change is a major issue, it’s an issue that affects livelihoods of people in Pacific. So these countries are most affected globally by the impacts of climate change. In terms of responses, the SPREP is working with governments to look at practical ways to adapt to climate change. So in some countries, we are working on better ways to conserve, better ways to manage fresh water. In others we are looking at how we can more effectively manage the coastal area, and we can protect the coastal vegetation, and we can strengthen the coastal zone. In the other countries we are working on the issues such as agriculture and how we can develop salt toleration species of food crops. So we are looking at a range of approaches, working with governments, looking at practical adaptation responses. Also we are working in all of the countries on issues such as renewable energy, with our partner regional organizations, such as the Secretariat of Pacific Community, to look at how we can introduce more renewable energy technologies, such as solar energy, wind, in some countries increase the use of hydroelectric capacities. So in all of these areas that are related to climate change, China has an active role with considerable expertise. Part of my objectives in coming here is to look at if we can cooperate more in the future.