Coral reefs are one of the Earths most complex and diverse ecosystems. Coral reefs have evolved over long periods of geological time in response to certain natural phenomena including tectonic movements, changes in climate and associated changes in sea level. The oldest known coral reef appeared more than 450 million years ago and by 150 million years before present, corals had diversified and spread globally throughout tropical shorelines
Availble online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 59 p.
This issues paper reviews the context and challenges to environmental mainstreaming (EM), discusses what it takes to achieve effective EM, and provides a roadmap for selecting operational EM methods and tools. Each chapter is introduced by a box summarising its scope. Supporting materials and profiles of key tools are available at www.environmental-mainstreaming.org. Chapter 1 explains why EM is needed, and considers what it means, and who should be concerned.
Streams and rivers on islands are considerably different to continental systems in that oceanic island systems are often subject to recurrent flash flooding and many fauna in continental systems are only distantly related to island fauna, rarely having an obligate marine larval phase of their life cycles. Several methods used in surveying continental systems are therefore only of limited applicability in island systems. The field procedures described herein are loosely adapted from those described in Parham, 2005 and Fitzsimons et.
Non-friable, corrugated, compressed asbestos-cement sheeting, derived from the NZ Aid refurbishment and renovations programme of schools and other Government buildings on Rarotonga
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Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 2 Pages
Samoa has retained the same ruling governing party of the last 20 years as its government for the next five years after the general elections in early March 2006. After years in power since 1985, the Human Rights Political Party (HRPP) continues to advance its 9 focus on enhancing the macroeconomic stability of the country. Apart from reliance on traditional mainstays such as agriculture and remittances, it targeted growth led by the construction, other manufacturing, hotels and restaurants, transport and communication sectors.
"The CARICOM Environment in Figures 2004 has been prepared the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Statistics Sub-programme based on data submitted
by Member States and Associate Members., from the United Nations Statistics Division
(UNSD) and from other regional and National Organisations. This is the second report in
this area of Statistics that has been produced. The first report contained data up to the
period 2002. The work on Environmental Statistics in the CARICOM Region was
A team of consultants conducted a review of Pacific Regional Meteorological Services as commissioned by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in November 2009. This was in response to a directive from Pacific Islands Forum Leaders. Over the period November 2009-April 2010, the team reviewed relevant documentation, consulted with SPREP member countries and other organisations, and considered feedback on a draft report before presenting its final report and recommendations.
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Call Number: [EL]
Compensation for oil pollution damage caused by spills from oil tankers is governed by an
international regime developed under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The framework for the regime was originally the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for
Oil Pollution Damage (1969 Civil Liability Convention) and the 1971 International Convention on
the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (1971 Fund
Integrating community based disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA)
is identified at the policy and practical level as crucial to aid effectiveness. Successful integration
reduces both duplication of efforts and confusion at the community level. This research focuses
on Pacific community based DRR and CCA initiatives, and draws upon the knowledge and insight
of key stakeholders from multiple backgrounds to develop an understanding of the current status
The success of Tongas current and future development depends on sustainable management
of its natural resources. However, with increasing population, changing socio-economic
aspirations and activities, the quality and quantity of the biophysical environment are
declining. This is likely to be exacerbated if the major environmental issues are not addressed
immediately. Unsustainable practices in agriculture and fishing, and population related
pressures such as waste generated and increasing demand for natural recourses coupled with a
The present submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
('the Commission') is made by the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New
Guinea and the Solomon Islands (hereinafter referred to collectively as the three
coastal States) pursuant to paragraph 8 of Article 76 of the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea ('the Convention') in support of the establishment
by the three coastal States of the outer limits of the continental shelf that lie beyond
This chapter outlines some of the links between human security and
climate change in the Pacific Islands. It demonstrates that climate
change poses significant risks to human security in the region. The links
between climate change, human security, and instability and conflict are
also explored. It seems unlikely that climate change will be the principal
cause of violent conflict in the region in the future, but it may increase
the risk of violent conflict in some places. The chapter argues that in
They have been defined as communities that are planned, built, or modified to promote sustainable living. They tend to focus on environmental sustainablility (including develoment and agriculture) and economic sustainability. Sustainable communities can focus on sustainable urban infrastructure and/or sustainable municipal infrastructure.
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Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 37 p.
In February 2005 Campaign Strategy Ltd1 and Cultural Dynamics2 (CDSM
Cultural Dynamics Strategy and Marketing) commissioned a nationally
representative telephone survey of over 1000 adults, who were asked a number
of questions about climate change. Some of those results3 are reported here.
The same sample was asked a large number of other questions about
environmental issues, and their political identity. They were also asked ten
questions about their lives which enable Cultural Dynamics to place them into 12
This paper presents a summary of progress to date made in implementing the Forum Leaders 2008 Niue Declaration on climate change, and proposals for how to further this implementation in light of the 2009 Cairns Call for Action on climate change.
SPREP paper to PCCR 19-21 October 2009
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 20 p.
The Pacific Climate Change Film Festival is
open to all films (animation, documentaries,
music videos, short commentaries, etc.) that
highlight climate change issues within the
Pacific.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 2 Pages
In preparation for the upcoming meeting of the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR), to be held in Majuro in October, 2009, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) commissioned a stocktake of the progress made in implementing the Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change (PIFACC) in terms of its principles and expected outcomes, with an emphasis on adaptation and the associated enabling environment.
The main aim of this report is to set out a preliminary assessment of the current needs within SPREP in relation to assisting the development of environmental law in Pacific island countries, particularly in relation to legal responses to the impacts of climate change in the region, and to make a series of recommendations based on that assessment. The context of the assessment is that climate change has become one of the overarching priorities within SPREP, also recognizing SPREPs climate-change leadership role within the region.
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Climate change impacts will affect social and ecological systems in complex and broad-ranging ways as technological, economic, social and ecological changes take place across regions, groups and sectors. Many of these impacts, such as impacts on ecological systems, have cascading effects on social, economic and health outcomes. In order to respond to climate change, more vigorous actions are required to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and to adapt to unavoidable consequences that are increasing vulnerability around the world.
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The Pacific Climate Change Film Project is an innovative partnership between the British High Commission, Suva, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
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Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 6 Pages