An exhibition called 'Trouble in Paradise' being held at New Zealand's National Library will shine the spotlight on climate change in the Pacific region.
'Trouble in Paradise' will showcase the 60 winning photographs of a competition run by the UK Government to document the effects of the climate crisis in the Pacific.
Ten year old Epineri Lata takes a dip in the ocean to escape the intense heat on the island of Kia in Fiji. In the background is the visible evidence of cyclone damage to the island. Photo: Justin Naisua
Joachim sitting under a coconut palm that is highly likely to be washed away before he is eight. Photo: Joseph Haga
Images of bleached corals in Fiji and houses submerged in water in Samoa will be among those on display, giving visitors a first-hand look at the impacts climate change has on communities and livelihoods.
Visitors will also be able to see illustrated works from the Alexander Turnbull Library rare books collection featuring animal and plant species recorded in the South Pacific.
'Trouble in Paradise' opened on November 4 to coincide with COP26, the UN climate change conference being held in Glasgow, Scotland. It is seen by many as the last chance to get the world on track to address the urgent threat of climate change.
British High Commissioner to New Zealand Laura Clarke said the exhibition will be confronting, but shows why urgent action is needed to tackle climate change and help those on the frontline adapt.
UK High Commissioner in New Zealand Laura Clarke. Photo: Supplied
"Pacific Island communities are already facing the impacts of a crisis they did next to nothing to cause, with climate change posing an existential threat to their future," she says.
"This exhibition will give visitors a first-hand look at what is a very real emergency, and one that is happening right on New Zealand's doorstep.
"That's what makes COP26 in Glasgow such a crucial moment, allowing the UK to bring world leaders together to agree urgent action to tackle climate change.
"These talented photographers show us what is at stake for New Zealand's closest neighbours, and why the time for action is now."
Kate Uvia is a storyteller from Papua New Guinea and she captured an image of young people in the Western Province in an area which is the second most impoverished district.
Uvia said it will be the young people who bear the brunt of climate change.
"I think about my kids, I hug them at night and sleep with them tight at my home.
"These kids might be woken up at the dead of night by their parents to be told to rush to higher grounds.
"They won't have these nice beach fronts where they can come out to the sand and play with their friends, run around, who knows if they'll have a home," Uvia said.
Kokopo beach, Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
National Library Director Content Services Rachel Esson Photo: Supplied / National Library
"We are proud of the ways in which the Alexander Turnbull Library's New Zealand and Pacific collections support research in New Zealand and Pacific studies and can shine a light on pressing global issues, such as climate change."
The photos are winning entries from the UK's Pacific Climate Photography Competition, which ran in January this year.
The competition received more than 300 submissions from people living in the Pacific under the categories of Marine, Land, People, Youth (under 21) and Junior (ages 12 and under).
The images on display are from residents of the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The blue starfish is extremely sensitive to changes in water temperature, oxygen levels and acidity; all key indicators in the health of our marine environment. Photo: Dan Shipp
Trouble in Paradise is run in partnership with the British High Commission Wellington and the British Council NZ.
The exhibition will close on 30 April 2022 at the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington, where entry is free.
