Invasive Species, Climate Change take Center Stage at the World Summit on Island Sustainability

The dual threats of invasive species and climate change dominated the stage at the World Summit on Island Sustainability in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador this June, where over 150 island leaders and experts gathered at the Galapagos Science Center to share research and ideas, as well as their visions of a sustainable future for islands worldwide. Pacific RISA co-lead PI Dr. Brewington was invited as a featured speaker to share some of the bright spots, and challenges, surrounding these issues from Pacific Islands.

islands make up just 6% of the world’s total land area but are hotspots of biodiversity. They are also epicenters of biodiversity loss. Over 60% of species extinctions have occurred in islands and of those, more than 80% were caused by invasive species. In addition to reducing biodiversity invasive species also cause habitat loss, which changes the ecosystem services that islands provide such as food, water, recreation opportunities, and cultural practices. Invasive species also impact infrastructure, trade, food prices, jobs, and human health.

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New Report on the Intersection of Climate Change, Health, and Migration

Since 2016, the Pacific RISA has worked with researchers in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Hawaiʻi, and the US Pacific Northwest to study the relationship between climate change and migration, with an emphasis on the health impacts of climate change and how they are related to migration. Our latest publication, “Climate Change, Health, and Migration: Profiles of Resilience and Vulnerability in the Marshall Islands“ led by Pacific RISA PI Laura Brewington and East-West Center consultant David Krzesni, is now available online through the East-West Center publications website.

Climate change is already having negative impacts in the RMI, include changing sea levels, extreme events like cyclones and typhoons, heat waves, drought, and ocean acidification. Meanwhile, public health is also affected by climate change, in ways that may directly  or indirectly influence people’s migration decisions. In this context, this research supported by NOAA’s International Research and Applications Project explored the nexus of climate change, health, and migration in the RMI and provides a better understanding of these relationships to inform research and policy agendas that build resilience and adaptive capacity. Read More

2022 Our Ocean Palau Conference

Pacific RISA Project Specialist Paula Moehlenkamp recently attended the Our Ocean conference in Palau, where she represented the collaboration between Pacific RISA and the Local2030 Islands Network. Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Palau and the United States, the conference sought to draw international attention to the serious threats facing the world’s oceans and to gain commitments to concrete action around the globe to support marine conservation and climate resilience. Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity,” and headlined by special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr., the 2022 Our Ocean Conference focused on two cross-cutting issues: the ocean-climate nexus, and the importance of a healthy ocean to small island developing states and all communities where the ocean serves as a primary source of sustenance. As the first small island developing state to host the Our Ocean Conference, Palau highlighted the specific challenges that islands face due to the ocean-climate crisis. Read More

Caring for Hawaii’s Coral Reefs

Coral reefs in Hawai’i are home to a spectacular biodiversity of plant and animal species (many endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago), support a deep-rooted culture of subsistence fishing, provide coastal protection, and are central to tourism and recreational activities. 

Climate stressors on coral reefs include sustained high sea surface temperature (SST) leading to coral bleaching, more intense, damaging storms, sea level rise and sedimentation impacts, and the potential to alter ocean currents and increase ocean acidification. Climate stressors on coral reefs in Hawai’i are exacerbated by coastal pollution (runoff, spills, etc), fishing, impacts from tourism and vessel traffic. This combination of stressors also makes them more vulnerable to coral disease, loss of genetic diversity, and decreases their resilience to future impacts. Read More

The Pacific RISA 2021 Annual Report

The Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (Pacific RISA) program supports Pacific island and coastal communities in adapting to the impacts of climate variability and change. The newly released Pacific RISA Annual Report covers the final year of the grant cycle, titled “Supporting Integrated Decision Making Under Climatic Variability and Change in Hawai‘i and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands,” from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021. Read More

The RISA Sustained Assessment Specialist Network

Introducing a new resource on the NOAA RISA Sustained Assessment Specialist network! This 2-page, quick reference sheet provides information about sustained assessment and the current and recent specialists that serve RISA regions.

The RISA Sustained Assessment Specialist Network promotes cross-regional collaboration, leverages expertise, and promotes learning and equitable solutions within the adaptation community. The network advances a shared vision for sustained assessment. Read More