16 October 2020, Apia, Samoa – A new book, which will provide a rich exchange of diverse ideas on how to tackle climate and its multifaceted impacts, will be launched in person and online during the Third Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference on the theme "Blue Pacific, Climate Action for Climate Resilience", held online later this month.
The book, titled In the Eye of the Storm - Reflections from the Second Pacific Climate Change Conference, is a compilation of the contributions of some of the keynote speakers at the Second Pacific Climate Change Conference, held in Wellington in 2018. It is co-edited by Professor of Law Alberto Costi and Professor of Physical Geography James Renwick, both from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
“Climate change is the greatest threat to our Pacific islands, we must do everything we can do to amplify our voice to bring about higher ambitions, this book launch is an example of this,” said Mr Kosi Latu, Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) “Congratulations to the co-editors and Victoria University of Wellington for making this happen.”
The 2018 conference was co-hosted by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, and SPREP, and brought together a range of voices on climate change from all over the Pacific and beyond, with the Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honourable Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi delivering the opening address.
Professor Costi says, “This collection of essays addresses topics ranging from the science of climate change to its effects on the environment; tackles legal and policy issues about climate change from a local, regional and global perspective; and analyses the challenges raised by climate change through economic, media and religious lenses. We look forward to sharing our research more widely at this event.”
The book will be officially launched by Hon. Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi at 4.30 pm NZ time / 5.30 Samoa time on Thursday 29 October during the Third Pacific Climate Change Conference, which will be held from 27–30 October 2020. The conference is coordinated by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, SPREP, and the National University of Samoa, and the physical launch will be held in the Hunter Council Chambers. The conference will be an online event, for which registrations are now open.
For more information or to register for the conference, please visit https://pacificoceanclimatechange.org/.
If you would like to request an invitation to the book launch, please contact [email protected].
The Third Pacific Climate Change Conference from 27–30 October 2020 is a partnership between the Government of Samoa, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), National University of Samoa (NUS), Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University Wellington and the Government of Samoa. The theme of this online conference is ‘Blue Pacific, Climate Action for Climate Resilience’. Further information can be found at https://pacificoceanclimatechange.org/
Image courtesy of M.Tuiravakai/Climate Change Cook Islands