13 Jul 2017

Planning needed for climate-induced migration - academic

From , 5:02 am on 13 July 2017

The plight of Pacific people affected by climate change will be one issue raised at the UN climate change conference known as COP23 in Germany.

Fiji will co-chair COP23 in November - and its Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama told a regional meeting that Pacific nations were fighting for their very survival, especially extremely low-lying nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.

Maxine Burkett, University of Hawai'i law professor, has been researching climate-induced migration, displacement and relocation.

Professor Burkett told Philippa Tolley there's a need for proactive policies to protect small island states.

Steep hills drop down to the sea and a beach

Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches Photo: RNZ / Philippa Tolley