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Climate Variability and Change Workshops in the US Pacific Islands

Climate Variability and Change Workshops in the US Pacific Islands. Dr. Cheryl L. Anderson Director, Hazards, Climate & Environment Program University of Hawaii Social Science Research Institute. Workshop Schedule. Tutuila, American Samoa – September 6-8, 2005 Majuro, RMI – April 12-13, 2006

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Climate Variability and Change Workshops in the US Pacific Islands

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  1. Climate Variability and Change Workshopsin the US Pacific Islands Dr. Cheryl L. Anderson Director, Hazards, Climate & Environment Program University of Hawaii Social Science Research Institute

  2. Workshop Schedule • Tutuila, American Samoa – September 6-8, 2005 • Majuro, RMI – April 12-13, 2006 • Pohnpei, FSM – April 18-19, 2006 • Guam – April 24-25, 2006 • Saipan, CNMI – April 27-28, 2006 • Koror, Palau – May 1-2, 2006

  3. Builds on Pacific Initiativeson Climate Variability & Change • Pacific ENSO Applications Center • Consequences of Climate Variability & Change Workshops • Regional & National Workshops on the Impacts of ENSO • PEAC 10-year Review • Climate and Health in the Pacific • Regional Integrated Science and Assessment Project for the Pacific

  4. Objectives of the Workshops • Explore nature and impacts of climate variability and change • Understand vulnerability in key sectors • Explore opportunities to enhance resilience • Identify critical information needs and priorities

  5. Workshop Overview • Overview of present climate • Group discussion of impacts and concerns • Changing Climate: Why Does it Matter? (Discussion) • Consequences of climate variability and change for Pacific Islands • Anticipating El Niño: Pacific ENSO Applications Center (PEAC) Experience • Table-Top Exercise: Using El Niño forecasts • Climate Adaptation & Mainstreaming • Role of Marine Protected Areas and Coastal Resource Management • Keeping an Eye on the Climate System • GEOSS, PI-GCOS, PI-GOOS, PacIOOS • Brainstorming on PacIOOS Information Needs • Climate vulnerability & adaptation • Natural hazards risk management • Marine and coastal ecosystems & resources

  6. General Findings • Memory of 1997-98 ENSO Drought – depended on the strength of the event, how much of society the event affected, severity of hardship • Drought not discussed w/Flood – even as part of mitigation efforts (FEMA required plans) or need to provide groundwater recharge for water systems • Climate Variability & Climate Change – connections not well understood, separate agencies/communities dealing w/these issues • Interdisciplinary Interaction – partnerships are necessary • Funding Sources needed for projects

  7. American Samoa • Need to think about actions from government and community perspective---be aware of different needs • Use an integrated approach • Developed an interagency climate change task force

  8. Marshall Islands • Water storage concerns • Forecast information very useful for timing in sectors: increased port use, increased risk of diseases, migration & avian flu • Disaster Plans consider extreme climate events (drought), but can improve for adaptation • Erosion challenges – monitoring dredging and changes in shoreline, wave action • Need to ensure good information in communities

  9. Federated States of Micronesia • Activities must be undertaken in partnership with community • Wave and Water Level information important • Communication challenges – technology limitations, agency interaction, distance • Fisheries highly correlated w/SST, and ENSO events • Adaptation measures need to be both country and community driven from both levels

  10. Guam • Immigration issues from environmental changes and increased population pressure important to consider • Fisheries plans (5-10 year strategies) could benefit from climate information • Reef pressures could become greater; needs to be considered in protection plans

  11. Northern Mariana Islands • Climate information needs to be built into the Hazard Mitigation Plan and in local groups already addressing issues, i.e. Watershed Group • In addition to agencies, need hotel association involvement • Need updated drainage studies and flood mitigation plans • Need to make better sense of legal issues for preservation of resources that addresses local needs

  12. Palau • Unique climate-dependent environment is primary resource • Water storage is critical • Need updated Hazard Mitigation Plan to include climate information • Approaches must involve community • Invasive species – growing concern for damage to ecosystems • Coral Reefs need protection – important to livelihood & economy

  13. Common Opportunities • Education, Public Awareness and Outreach • Upreach to Legislators/Leaders/Decision Makers • Improving Communication w/in WSO and among network

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