Human Security and Climate Change in the Pacific Islands
The wide-spread devastation caused by cyclone Harold in April 2020 once again shed light on the challenges the Pacific Islands face on a day-to-day basis. As climate change has already caused sea levels to rise substantially, increased the frequency of natural disasters, and critically altered the islands’ marine and land environment, local governments are under immense pressure to respond to growing concerns about human security. Apart from affecting the health of island communities, climate change also has long term implications for food security, resource availability and is likely to increase the risk for conflict. With the concurrent Covid-19 pandemic having visibly exposed the Pacific islands’ vulnerabilities, there is a need to reassess the risks that climate change poses for the region.
We are honored to have three distinguished experts join us for a discussion on the topic ‘Human Security and Climate Change in the Pacific Islands’. Dr. Johann Bell is the Senior Director of Tuna Fisheries at Conservation International and a Visiting Professor at the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong, Dr. Eberhard Weber is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment at the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji, and Dr. Tony Weir is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University.
The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and the event will be moderated by Larissa Stünkel, Junior Research Fellow at ISDP’s Stockholm China Center.