Climate Change

UN officially notified of US intention to withdraw from Paris climate pact

The notification came two months after President Donald Trump announced his intention to leave the accord.
 
“As the Secretary-General said in a statement on 1 June 2017, the decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security,” said UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in a note sent  to correspondents.
 

Rising heat could make parts of South Asia uninhabitable by 2100 -study

Most of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will experience temperatures close to the limits of survivability by 2100, without emissions reductions.

The research says the fraction of the population exposed to dangerous, humid heat waves may reach 30 percent.

South Asia is home to one-fifth of the world's inhabitants.

Wet bulb threat

Most official weather stations around the world measure temperature with two thermometers.

Climate change implicated in dengue fever outbreaks in Pacific islands

New Zealand travellers are being warned to take precautions when going to affected areas amid a surge of dengue fever in the Pacific this year, and a “type 2” strain that hasn't been seen in 20 years.

The symptoms of aching joints, headaches and fever are the same, but the absence of the strain until recently means many people haven't developed immunity to it.

France to be COP23 spokesman

Speaking at the 10th conference of Pacific Community (SPC), French Overseas Minister Annick Girardin thanked the Pacific for the support it provided for the successful adoption of the Paris Agreement during COP21.
 
“I want to thank you for the unfailing support that you provided during COP21. It was due to your contributions and commitment that COP21 was so successful.
 

GEF meeting discusses strategies to advance common goals

Speaking at the opening ceremony, chief guest and the Acting Minister responsible for Environment and Climate Change (MEIDECC), Lord Ma’afu urged everyone to be “frank, constructive and reflective of the approach for future programs and activities”.

“I cannot stress enough the need to ensure that your deliberations and exchanges deliver concrete and tangible outcomes that will advance our common, regional agenda and individual island needs,” said Lord Ma’afu.

Extreme El Niño events likely to become frequent despite global warming

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, the international community is aiming to limit warming to 2 degrees celsius.

But the Australian-led study in the Nature Climate Change Journal found increases in global temperatures causing extreme El Niños would continue to see extreme weather events, even if the global temperature stopped rising.

The lead scientist from the Australia research institute CSIRO, Wenju Cai said the study indicates that extreme weather events are likely to become twice as common in the future.

China takes more of a lead with climate change efforts in the Pacific

After the U.S. President Trump withdrew support from the Paris agreement, the international accord to restrict global warming, others are looking to fill the gap.

Every day, Pacific nations are fighting for their islands' survival as they contend with the ongoing effects of climate change.

Fiji is the first small island state to preside over the conference of parties (COP23), the annual round of the ongoing UN climate negotiations later this year.

Climate partnerships needed to tackle climate change in the Pacific

Latu presented a perspective on the ‘Need for Accelerated Climate Change Action’ at the 14th Regional Meeting (Pacific Region) of the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly in Vanuatu last week.

“The Pacific has done very little to contribute to the problem of climate change yet stand to suffer the most as a result of the actions of developed countries and some emerging economies,” he said.

Academic encourages Fiji to look at climate change alternatives

Terence Wesley Smith, from the University of Hawaii, says after the coup and sanctions, a lot of the driving force for Fiji has been dealing with the issue of climate change on an international level.

As part of this, Fiji will preside over the latest round of United Nations climate negotiations in November.

Mr Wesley Smith said the dynamic is changing, with China - with which Fiji has sought closer relations - taking a more active leadership role after the United States withdrew from the Paris climate accord.

Climate change warming Fiji, China relations

China's regional position was strengthened by US president Donald Trump's proclamation that climate change was a hoax and the subsequent withdrawal of American support for the Paris Agreement, the international accord to restrict global warming.

A policy analyst for the Fiji government, Joseph Veramu, said Fiji was on a mission to get industrialised economies to reduce emissions to which China seemed committed.

"Fiji was the only Pacific nation invited to the Belt and Road, the global leadership meeting, that was held in Beijing in May," said Mr Veramu.