Minister highlights climate, fisheries concerns at oceans conference
Minister highlights climate,
fisheries concerns at oceans conference
Minister for Climate Change and
National Resilience Asterio Appi told the Ocean Climate Nexus panel
during the ninth Our Ocean conference in Greece that it cannot
close its eyes on the adverse effects of climate change on small
islands, 16 April.
Minister Appi said climate change
has noticeable effects on tuna fisheries which is a major source of
funds for Nauru's national treasury, and therefore critical for its
food security.
Due to its vulnerability Nauru is
investing in its own national resilience. Some of those include
looking at plans to build more sea walls to safe guard livelihoods
and existing critical infrastructure that are important to maintain
Nauru's development.
Another is investing in the higher
ground initiative which recently completed phase two. Nauru now has
the designs and concepts around relocating livelihoods to higher
ground on the island.
"Climate change has moved far
beyond just an economic, or social, or environmental issue. It is a
threat to security. Nauru believes it is critical to recognise this
and create and enhance partnerships and cooperation to address
these threats."
The conference focus areas are
Sustainable Tourism in coastal areas and islands; Green Shipping;
Plastic and Microplastic Pollution; and the Green transition in the
Mediterranean Sea.
ENDS///