Communicating climate change a challenge

Ms. Tilia Tima, Tuvalu's Biodiversity officer

December 2013, Suva Fiji - By Josephine Navula, journalism student at FNU:- Communicating climate change and its associated issues to Tuvalu's people is challenging because of the difficulty in translating scientific terms in the native language.

This was shared by Tuvalu's Biodiversity officer Ms. Tilia Tima at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in Suva, Fiji.

"It's hard to translate words to the people back at home because we don't have a specific term for it," she said.

"The other thing that we are facing difficulty in are forms of communications, since our only form of communication is radio, and since we have eight islands far apart from each other, it's really hard when some of the people don't have access to radio."

Trying to generate interest among the locals so that they attend the various awareness programmes was another problem, said Tuvalu's Ministry of Natural Resources Research Officer Mr. Semese Alefaio.

He said although many workshops were held to raise awareness on environment issues, many did not attend.

"Most of the people don't attend the awareness programmes because of isolation."

He said the need to increase women's involvement was also pertinent.

Josephine Navula is a member of the Media Team providing coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 to 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between the Fiji National University (FNU), University of the South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS).

Lessons learnt by the Pacific

16 May Nadi Fiji - In 2010 the One Pacific Voice was heard loud and clear at the International Biodiversity Conference which brought 18,000 people together to forge a path forward to help save and strengthen global biodiversity.  This week in Fiji, the Pacific region has regrouped to reflect on what was learnt while at the CBD COP 10 in Nagoya.  Day one of the meeting today, heard from five different Pacific representatives’ share their experiences with others.

“I gained personally and professionally.  Planning and prioritising on a daily basis is crucial when you attend the COP, you always need to be in good health as it’s a lengthy and can be a stressful process.  You need the energy to attend discussions during the days and nights.  It is a good experience but gruelling and you should try to be in all aspects of the COP – working groups, side events, plenary sessions and ministerial level meetings.” – Eleni Rova Tokaduadua, Fiji

“It was good to see that we had synergized issues so that what is said not only benefits your country, but the Pacific islands region as a whole.  It was also helpful that everyone shared information and resources – I was glad that we had people attending who were willing to share information with you on what happened at meetings in case you missed out so you can be kept up to date.” – Fale’afaga Tony Tipama’a, Samoa

“I think having at least one week for negotiations training would be helpful for the Pacific delegates so we can be confident and prepared at this level.  I also think we in the Solomon Islands should have a national workshop like Fiji so when we come together we can feed the results into the Pacific region.” – Joe Horokou, Solomon Islands

“I was fortunate and happy to represent my country, I learnt the value of a side event and how you can use it to raise your country profile.  We also found the half day meeting just before the COP where we learnt about the processes very helpful.  Another highlight for me was how once we had made the Pacific opening statement - it opened the door for support of our position from other regions.”  Solomona Lotoala, Tuvalu

“I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the pre-COP information, package so you are really well prepared for the COP meeting.  It’s also good if you look for the media for updates, visit the SPREP media releases and the Earth Negotiations Bulletin is also helpful to keep you updated.  There is also a wealth of information within the Pacific delegations, there are a lot of experienced people, it’s good if you can learn from them” – Joseph Brider, Cook Islands

"Talking the Biodiversity Talk":  COP = Conference of the Parties

Notes:The meeting is held from 16 – 20 May at the Tanoa Hotel in Nadi, Fiji.
Participants are from the Cook Islands, Timor Leste, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI), IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WWF South Pacific Programme, University of the South Pacific.

Pacific supports moratorium on ocean fertilization at Nagoya biodiversity conference

The Pacific Voyage Media Team

21 October Nagoya Japan - Tuvalu on behalf of the Pacific Island parties is supporting a moratorium pertaining to ocean fertilization and other forms of geo-engineering activities to counteract the effects of climate change, at the ongoing biodiversity negotiations in Nagoya.

Geo-engineering is defined as an option that would involve large-scale engineering of the environment in order to combat or counteract the effects of changes in atmospheric chemistry

Tuvalu raised this point during an intervention in the climate change discussions at the 10^th Conference of the Parties on Biological Diversity.

The Pacific Island region is not endorsing geo-engineering options because it remains largely unproven.

One of the options among others is Ocean fertilization to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

 Mr. Solomona Lotoala of Tuvalu spoke on behalf of the Pacific island parties –

“Unfortunately for our Pacific Island countries both climate change and biodiversity are integral recognized as parts of our daily lives. One represents an opportunity and supports our daily lives the other is imposed on our daily lives through global processes beyond our control and threatens our survival. As such it is an honor indeed for Tuvalu to speak on behalf of Pacific Island countries on climate change and biodiversity as this is directly an issue of concern for Tuvalu.” 

The Small Islands State is one of the Pacific nations vulnerable to climate change.  It has been established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that the small island states are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change.

“Madam Chair, the biodiversity of our islands is the most threatened by climate change in the world.  Island genetic stocks are small and valuable – urgent attention needs to be placed on how to sustain these resources.  Pacific Small Island Developing States recognize the need for support for capacity building to assist Pacific SIDS in identifying, assessing and monitoring impacts of climate change,” he says.

The battle however cannot be fought by Tuvalu and the other small island nations alone, it will need financial and technical support from developed nations to bring about effective adaptation and mitigation actions that address the linkages between biodiversity and Climate Change.

“The Pacific small island nations wish to emphasize that all Pacific Island Countries are taking action to protect and manage our biodiversity and take measures through eco-system based adaptation to adapt to climate change and sea level rise. This includes coral reef, mangrove and terrestrial systems management,” he says.

For the full intervention please read as below -  

PACIFIC ISLAND PARTIES INTERVENTION STATEMENT

Government of TUVALU

Thank you Madam Chair

This is the first time for Tuvalu to take the floor therefore I would like to thank you Madam Chair for the opportunity.

Tuvalu wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to the government of Japan, the people of Nagoya for hosting us well in this 10^th Conference of the Parties. Thank you for your extraordinary hospitality and warm welcome.

This statement is on behalf of the 14 Pacific Island Countries represented here.

Madam Chair, if I recall the theme of this year’s International Year of Biodiversity – Biodiversity is life – Biodiversity is OUR life. Today Madam Chair, unfortunately for our Pacific Island countries both climate change and biodiversity are integral recognized as parts of OUR daily lives. One represents an opportunity and supports our daily lives, the other is imposed on OUR daily lives through global processes beyond our control and threatens our survival. As such it is an honor indeed for Tuvalu to speak on behalf of PICs on CC & BD as this is directly an issue of concern for Tuvalu. 

In Tuvalu, our islands biodiversity provides a wealth of food, other natural products, and is the foundation for our traditional and cultural practices. Madam chair, we at this point in the discussions want to stress the fact that Tuvalu is gravely concerned about climate change given our imminent disappearance under water should global warming continue at its present rate.

Madam Chair, in view of the foregoing, the Pacific SIDS wish to emphasize that all Pacific Island Countries are taking action to protect and manage our biodiversity and take measures through eco-system based adaptation to adapt to climate change and sea level rise. This includes coral reef, mangrove and terrestrial systems management. We look to our partners for financial and technical support to continue these efforts to develop effective adaptation and mitigation actions that address the linkages between biodiversity and Climate Change.

Madam Chair, the biodiversity of our islands are the most threatened by climate change in the world. Island genetic stocks are small and valuable –urgent attention needs to be placed on how to sustain these resources. Pacific SIDS recognize the need for support for capacity building to assist Pacific SIDS in identifying, assessing and monitoring impacts of climate change.

Madam Chair, on behalf of the Pacific SIDS I want to draw the attention of the delegates to the Recommendations of the SBSTTA Draft Decision (UNEP/CBD/COP/10/3) that allows us to move forward in our discussions.  Keeping in line with the Recommendations, Madam Chair, allow me to share several of the Pacific views on these agenda item.

Paragraphs 3-6 relating to finance including reference to the GEF and the Life Web Initiative – the Pacific Island Parties support the removal of the brackets (around para 4) – as a starting point.

·    Paragraph 8q referring to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and considering land ownership and land tenure, respecting, preserving and maintaining the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Pacific Islands Parties support the removal of the brackets and wish to lend our strong support to the importance of maintaining the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities.

·    Paragraph 8w relating to the exclusion of ocean fertilization and other forms of geo-engineering activities until there is an adequate scientific basis. The Pacific Island parties support the removal of this bracket as geo-engineering activities aimed at addressing climate change are unproven and have the potential to have a serious negative impact on marine biological diversity.

·    The two options contained in paragraph 9 relating to monitoring biodiversity impacts of REDD activities (paragraph 9g) both have merits. The Pacific Island Parties support combining of these two options and suggested wording will be submitted for consideration.

·     With regards to the proposed Joint Work Programme the Pacific Island parties will submit its comments to the Secretariat later.

Madam Chair, thank you for the opportunity and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to our parties and invite you all to come and join us at our Pacific Voyage Booth # 7 – next to the BIG BIRD.

Thank you Madam Chair

Tuvalu at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya

Voyage Pacific Media Team

19 October Nagoya, Japan - Tuvalu will be pushing for support from the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to highlight issues relating to biodiversity and climate change in the Pacific region.

Soseala Tinilau and Solomona Lotoala, from Tuvalu’s Department of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Labour, said they were particularly interested in leading and supporting item 5.6, Biodiversity and Climate Change, on the COP10’s agenda five, “Issues for In-depth Consideration.

“Climate Change and Biodiveristy is very important to Tuvalu since Biodiversity provides wealth of food, other natural products and is the foundation for our traditional and cultural practices,” they said adding that Tuvalu is gravely concerned about climate change given their imminent inundated should global warming continue at its present rate.

L - R Soseala Tinilau and Solomona Lotoala of the Tuvalu delegation

With the negotiation processes underway, Tuvalu’s other interests that they are keen on tabling and working closely with PICs are issues on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity, Protected Areas and the issue of Access Benefit Sharing (ABS).

ABS is where Tuvalu says its vitally important that PICs advocate and support the adoption of ABS regime as the Pacific is the providers thus need to share some of the benefits.

Mr Tinilau and Mr Lotoal, both new to the COP scene, said so far the event as been interesting and very challenging.

“One needs good stamina to withstand the amount of work needed during negotiation processes.” they said.

Their involvement will help them gain negotiation experiences and skills and also technical and financial assistance from the outcome of the COP10 conference.

They said other issue like the Marine biodiversity and protected areas is where they would also like to see more in depth discussion.

Tuvalu has established six conservation areas on six of its nine islands with only one being regulated under a formal legislation while the rest through traditional management systems. Preparations are underway to expand its protected area networks. This will be identified under the National Biodiversity Strategy.

Tuvalu is currently working to implement the Whale and Dolphin Action Plan and also the Regional Action Plan on Turtles in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

A Pacific Statement on Biodiversity

The Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity which was held 16 - 18 August prepared the below final meeting statement.  

The meeting was coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and was attended by the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Partners that attended this meeting are the Department of Conservation NZ, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Australia, Environmental Defender Office, Fiji Forestry Department, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, IUCN, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, University of the South Pacific, United Nations Environment Programme, WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Please click here to view the document in pdf format