Climate change is real and Asia is already experiencing its adverse impacts. Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that such impacts will become even more intense in the future. While the contribution of developing countries in Asia to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is increasing rapidly, per capita emissions are still low and developmental challenges remain significant.
The Earth currently finds itself in the midst of what some have termed the "Anthropocene Era" - a period during which human activities have become a dominate force affecting not only the
planet's landscape, but also its atmosphere. Since the dawn of the industrial evolution of the mid-18th century, humans have contributed to substantial increases in the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide has increased by 36%, methane by 17%, and nitrous oxide by 151%. These changes in the global atmosphere are directly linked to over
The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC (IPCC AR4) Working Group II (2007) identifies small island states as being among the most vulnerable countries of the world to the adverse impacts of climate change. Hay, el al.y (2003) in discussing the Pacific's observed climate noted that compared to earlier historical records during the twentieth century, the southern Pacific had experienced a significantly drier and warmer climate (by 15 percent and 0.8°C, respectively).
"The impacts of the 1997-1998 El Nino are
fresh in our minds, and the latest reports from
the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) confirm tvhat all of you
already know changes in climate matter to
individuals, communities, businesses and
governments who call islands home. Your
valuable natural resources, traditional ways of
life, critical economic sectors, community support
infrastructure, atid, to a great extent, your
future, depend on developing an effective
With these decisions in mind, the Pacific Plan identifies initiatives within an implementation framework that extends to 10 years. Some of this work is already underway. The Plan provides a framework for effective and enhanced engagement
between Forum countries and Pacific territories and with their non-state actors and development partners. It does not limit the sovereign right of Forum Member countries to determine their own national goals and priorities. It may also guide but does not restrict bilateral development programmes and activities.
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Offshore Environment Tuna, Sharks and other targeted species Cook Islands
Data on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) including Greenhouse Gases
Data on adaptation measures including access to rainwater tanks, food and live animals exported and imported and improved agriculture varieties. Also has information on monthly sea level rise in Rarotonga and other imported data which can help assess adaptation to Climate Change
Draft 3 (13/6/8) Independent State of Papua New Guinea 2008 A bill for the "Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity Act 2008"
Research papers on rural development and poverty in PNG as part of the Asia-Pacific Viewpoint Journal Volume 46.
Food and live animals imported and exported 2005-2013
The objectives of this Act are–
(a) to protect the environment and conserve biological diversity; and
(b) to ensure that proper weight is given to both the long-term and short-term
social, economic, environmental and equity considerations in deciding all
matters relating to access to, use and management of the country’s unique
biological resources; and
(c) to protect and sustain the potential of biological and physical resources
against threats posed by bio-piracy and other related illegal activities to
13 paged paper which argues that poverty in PNG is significantly located in the most isolated and environmentally disadvantaged parts of rural PNG, where development has not occurred to any extent and where a number of severe constraints make it unlikely to occur.
The WASH Baseline Survey is an initiative of the Water and Sanitation Sector which aims to:
1. Gain a better understanding of the water and sanitation situation nationally; and
2. Collect information about Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the population regarding water use, sanitation status and hygiene behaviour.
Cyclone Evan hit Samoa in December 2012 and caused immense damage and significant losses. This comprehensive assessment estimates those damages and losses, and identifies the needs of the affected population.
In this report, the value of durable physical assets across all economic and social sectors destroyed by Evan (referred to as damage) is estimated at SAT 235.7 million, equivalent to US$103.3 million.