One of the most visible threats to Oceania is sea level rise. Rightly so, as the Pacific Community (SPC) has estimated that the vast majority of people living in Oceania live within 1 kilometer of the coastline. What can seem…
Category: Agriculture/Water
Disease Outbreak Pt. 1: What Climate Disaster Means for Disease Outbreak
In many climate disaster related conversations, there is a villain that often flies under the radar. Communicable diseases are not at the forefront of climate change discussions. Island shores disappearing, dwindling water supplies, intense storms, air quality, and pollution all…
“What do they do if the fish are gone?”: Fisheries and Human Migration
Fisheries play a prominent role in the cultural identity, economy, and ecology of Oceania. As climate change and IUU fishing interact to place immense pressure on the global fisheries system, the people of the Pacific Islands face the loss of…
Modeling and Protecting Freshwater Resources for Disaster Resilience
Molly Ellsworth
Posted in Agriculture/Water, Disaster Preparedness, Hot Spots, Managed Retreat/Migration
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In 2016, a drought on the Marshall Islands caused over 16,000 people to suffer from extreme water shortages. The government declared a state of emergency well after freshwater wells had already been contaminated by seawater, leaving thousands to drink from…
In Oceania, Fisheries are Life. And They are Disappearing. (Part 2)
Fisheries play a prominent role in the cultural identity, economy, and ecology of Oceania. Climate change and other man-made drivers of biodiversity loss, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are decimating the fisheries that Pacific Islands rely upon…
In Oceania, Fisheries are Life. And They are Disappearing. (Part 1)
Fisheries play a prominent role in the cultural identity, economy, and ecology of Oceania. Climate change and other man-made drivers of biodiversity loss are decimating the fisheries that Pacific Islanders rely upon for their subsistence and survival. In part one…
Shrinking Shores? – Ocean Dynamics and Customizing Adaptation Plans
When it comes to climate vulnerability, one group of people will be particularly challenged: those living on low-lying islands, especially atolls. There’s frequently news about how quickly climate change will necessitate relocation or resettlement but it often focuses on the…
Developing Resilient Systems: How can we make sure the right decision makers are gathering at the table?
The planning and implementation of effective climate change resilient strategies is dependent and reflective of who is invited to the table during key decisions making events. I argue that local voices need to be at the core of every meeting,…
Leveraging Climate Resilient Programs to Restore Oceania’s Food System
Climate Change and the Food System Climate change is predicted to have dire implications on national and regional food systems. In many countries, climate change has had a large impact on food security by altering landscapes, inducing new crop diseases,…
Climate Resilient Strategies: Innovative or Restored Systems?
The Role of Indigenous People in Resilient Adaptation Strategies The call to action to implement climate resilient strategies at national and regional level can be intimidating, overwhelming, and seemingly impossible. Recommendations are ridden with technical jargon, vague descriptions, and lofty…
