Calls for urgent global action to tackle Pacific climate crisis
There is an urgent need for more innovative grassroots initiatives to help Pacific communities mitigate and adapt to climate change, World Vision New Zealand says. Its World Environment Week , and World Visions international director, TJ Grant, said it was the right time to reflect on what more needs to be done to ensure communities in the Pacific can thrive in the face of the massive challenge of climate change. Grants call came as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered a wake-up call to all countries last week about the need to drastically slash emissions and specifically methane. Aotearoa produces a lot of methane 44% of our total greenhouse gas emissions, and almost all of New Zealands methane, comes from agriculture. READ MORE: * Food, health concerns in the aftermath of Vanuatu storms * 'They've lost everything': Ni-Vanuatu Kiwis' concern amid cyclone Kevin * Impacts of climate change on South Pacific explored in exhibition * Climate crisis won't take a summer break, say activists Every year, governments pledge to cut their greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the impacts of climate change, the report said. But still global temperatures keep rising. Just last month, scientists announced that average global temperatures would probably pass the 1.5C threshold for the first time in the next five years. As temperatures rise, the world will see more devastating heatwaves, wildfires and floods, the report warned. The question now is whether the world can stop at 1.5C. Aotearoas latest climate change victims are also warning that the worst is yet to come as heavy rain fills the countrys lakes and rivers. They're getting bigger, engulfing homes as water levels rise and half a dozen of these homes are already washed out, with many more feared to be next, one resident in Rotorua told Stuff . Extreme weather hit the Coromandel overnight Tuesday , but its not over yet with more heavy rain and thunderstorms to continue, the MetService said. Meanwhile, the Pacific region this year has faced another round of devastating tropical cyclones , with Vanuatu particularly hard-hit with two category 4 storms, leaving thousands homeless and a US$50 million (NZ$82m) recovery cost. Grant said climate change was already devastating communities in the Pacific because it had caused food shortages, affected water supplies and impacted homes and livelihoods. He said the situation would worsen if the world did not take action now to mitigate and adapt to the extreme weather patterns. We know our Pacific neighbours are acutely vulnerable to climate change, with rising sea levels, meaning their land and homes are disappearing before their eyes, Grant said. It is heart-breaking for communities, especially when they are then hit by destructive natural disasters, such as cyclones. Vanuatu climate advocate Kendra Gates Derousseau said ensuring food security was a major priority during a climate crisis. She said in the aftermath of tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin in March, a survey found that more than 40% of those in the hardest-hit areas did not have enough food to eat each day. These violent cyclones destroy crops and vegetable gardens meaning people have no access to fresh fruit and vegetables, Derousseau said. Nearly two-thirds of people in the worst-affected areas had not eaten any fresh fruit or vegetables and this obviously goes on to affect health and wellbeing . World Vision Vanuatu is growing and distributing seedlings and tools to residents on Tanna and Efate islands, including training people to build cyclone-resilient homes. Were focused on creating sustainable housing and livelihoods, but also on developing a stronger sense of wellbeing in our communities because these natural disasters create psychological trauma as well as material disadvantage, Derousseau said. Grant said World Vision is working with Pacific island communities implement a range of simple and cost-effective grassroots initiatives to help them combat and survive the impact of climate change. In the Solomon Islands, sea level rise is already forcing some villagers to move to higher ground, climate advocates there have warned. Residents along the Solomon coastline are involved in a mangrove planting programme to buffer against high tides and prevent erosion, community leader Finle said. He said the communities have also been trained in re-greening techniques such as the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). FMNR is a simple and cost-effective land restoration initiative that helps to improve the soil structure and fertility, inhibit erosion, rehabilitate the water table, and encourage biodiversity, Finle said.