Over the last two decades the Pacific has seen an increase in frequency, intensity and impact of disasters in the region with the expectation of more devastation to come. Tropical cyclones have become more severe, extreme rainfall and flooding events more common, and sea levels continue to rise. A generation of young Pacific islanders have grown up with the constant awareness of the existential threat posed by climate change. This alone would be devastating, but the region also faces compounding crises, including accelerating biodiversity loss , which further exacerbates the impact of the climate crisis.
Significant efforts have been made to address these issues- through international negotiations, advocacy on the importance of the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C target, climate financing to support mitigation efforts, and the development of new mechanisms for cooperation and technology transfer. A major focus has been on building resilience to climate change - improving the capacity of communities, ecosystems and the entire system to anticipate and respond to climate related shocks and stresses.
This is the backdrop of my talk, in which I would like to highlight a series of bright spots, examples of what this resilience looks like in real time. I will explore how resilience is not just a policy goal but intrinsic to the core of Pacific island people - their cultures and worldview. It will include how these deeply rooted values offer some of the building blocks for responding to disasters, both within and beyond the region.
Finally I will reflect on the leadership the region has taken on the issue of climate change and its impacts from the highest political levels to the grassroots and youth. I will consider the impacts this has had on the global climate movement and emphasise the importance of regional approaches to addressing shared challenges.