NGO launches climate report

THE Caritas State of the Environment for Oceania (SEFO) 2019 report series has highlighted the five main climate change issues currently monitored, which are affecting the livelihood of inhabitants on smaller island nations in the Oceania region.
The report was launched by a panel of experts last Friday during the FM100 Talkback show.
The show panel had Catholic Bishops Conference development secretary Marie Mondu, Caritas PNG national director Mavis Tito, Catholic Professionals Society executive member Agnes Harihi and Catholic Bishops Conference social communications officer Nigel Akuani.
The SEFO report revolves around the five main areas: rising seas and coastal erosion; extreme weather; access to safe local food and water; offshore mining and drilling; and, climate finance.
Tito explained that gathering the necessary information for the report was challenging.
She said due to the limited resources, they were not able to respond quickly and effectively to the five areas.
“People’s lives are heavily impacted by climate change due to the constantly changing weather patterns,” she said.
Akuani stressed that youth engagement had an enormous potential to make a significant contribution to reduce climate change.
“The bulk of the country’s population is comprised of youths, so if given an opportunity and encouragement, they could cause great changes for the better,” he said.
While thanking FM100 for the opportunity to spread their message, Harihi urged everyone to become partners and work together to battle the effects of climate change.
The SEFO 2019 report outlines budgets, statistics, case-studies and challenges currently facing Caritas in Oceania, and the progress it had made so far in utilising the funds and resources at its disposal for planned development programmes.