Transcript
SUNNY SEUSEU: The report card provides a very easy to read, scientifically robust summary of what we know at this time about marine and coastal climate change impacts in the Pacific. And explores some of the actions that are needed to respond to these impacts. It uses evidence to support policy programmes as well as project development and is of relevance to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
JENNY MEYER: So are you able to just give some idea as to what action will happen as a result of this collaboration of scientific information? I guess it's great that it's all been packaged into one thing because there's so much going on. But how will it exactly help the countries in the Pacific to manage their obviously valuable resource in the future?
SS: Yes the report card covers three themes around first the climate change drivers and this is looking at sea surface temperature, ocean acidification, sea level rise and extreme events. Number two, the card looks at biodiversity which focusses on the health of corals, mangrove fish, and shell fish and sea grass. And lastly it focusses in on people, the settlements, infrastructure and fisheries. The report card therefore looks at these three themes and underscores the urgency of action and recommends measures for addressing these projected impacts. Which includes emphasising the importance of significantly reducing existing pressures from pollution, marine waste, population growth, over fishing and coastal development. And this is to increase resilience of our islands to climate impacts.
JM: So do you think that we'll see more laws passed among the Pacific countries, you know about sea and marine management, things like the marine protected areas, and we've seen Vanuatu recently introduce a plastics ban, that kind of thing?
SS: That is the hope. The publication of this first ever Pacific marine climate change report card represents a major step in really communicating the current evidence base on marine and coastal climate change impact and responses. And it is our hope and we are launching this report at the up-coming Polynesia Pacific Leaders meeting in Tuvalu to ensure that our leaders will be able to take on and there's a high uptake of the information recommendations.
JM: And how receptive do you think the politicians are to that kind of science? It's always a tough kind of interface isn't it?
SS: Yes, it's always a challenge. But we know that because we have developed the card to, in a way that is easy to read and tailored specifically for that audience we are hoping that will be realised and of course translated into actions at the national level and with a higher impact to be seen down the line.
