Oceans and Environment – Pacific Islands Report

Grand Master Navigators, Jasmine Stole Weiss

‘I can tell the changes’: Grand master navigators on climate change and perpetuating traditions

April 16, 2025 Climate Change and Disasters, Melanesia, Micronesia, Oceans and Environment, Pan-Pacific, Peace and Security, People-Centered Development, Polynesia, Resource and Economic Development, Stories, Technology and Connectivity

Jasmine Stole Weiss highlights a special event in Guam where esteemed navigators shared their expertise on traditional wayfinding and the impacts of climate change. Grand masters Ali Haleyalur, Sesario Sewralur, and Larry Raigetal emphasized the importance of cultural preservation and inter-island connections while teaching about navigation and its significance for future generations.

The Climate Change-Organized Crime Nexus: Building Pacific Resilience

March 26, 2025 Climate Change and Disasters, Oceans and Environment, Pan-Pacific, Peace and Security, People-Centered Development, Political Leadership and Regionalism, Resource and Economic Development, Stories, Technology and Connectivity

Virginia Comolli and Alastair MacBeath focus on the intersection of organized crime and climate change in the Pacific Islands. As criminal activities rise alongside climate issues, there is a pressing need for integrated policy responses. The resilience of local communities faces significant challenges, necessitating international cooperation to address these interconnected threats.

Innocence and Danger: Growing Up Among Unexploded Ordnance, a Silent Threat

March 12, 2025 Melanesia, Oceans and Environment, Peace and Security, People-Centered Development, Political Leadership and Regionalism, Solomon Islands, Stories

Cathy Hite Sakumalefo reflects on her childhood in the Solomon Islands, the dangers of unexploded ordnance from World War II, and the ongoing risks faced by local communities.