Climate Change in the Pacific: FOOD

The world over, agriculture faces an unprecedented threat from climate change. Agriculture on small islands faces additional and unique challenges. The fertile coastal plains, where farming is often concentrated, are also in the front line for sea level rise and coastal erosion. As the sea encroaches, soils are becoming salty and waterlogged. On very small islands, and especially low-lying atolls, moving farms further inland is not an option. On larger islands, moving inland and uphill often means destroying forests, with environmental consequences that add to the problem.

Improving the resilience of food production systems is one of the three focus areas of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) programme. Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have been working to improve the resilience of their food production systems. These efforts include improving sustainable farming methods, introducing climate-resilient crops, and training in food processing and preservation.

Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) programme is the first major climate change adaptation initiative in the Pacific region. Since it began in 2009 the programme has laid the groundwork for more resilient Pacific communities that can cope with climate variability today, and climate change tomorrow.

This short video, narrated by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, highlights the PACC projects that are working to improve access to an adequate supply of healthy food.