Pacific nations join Fiji climate meet

National, Normal
Source:

The National -Thursday, October 20th 2011

SCIENTISTS from around the Pacific are joining 22 member countries in a meeting organised this week by the SOPAC division of the South Pacific secretariat in Nadi, Fiji.
This is SOPAC’s first meeting as a division since it became a part of SPC in January of this year.
The meeting ends on Saturday.
“This is an opportunity to review the progress and directions of the SOPAC division work programme and to stimulate and plan new, emerging initiatives needed in the region,” SOPAC’s director Dr Russell Howorth said.
Advisers from supporting governments, organisations and institutions are attending.
SOPAC’s science technology and resources network is an integral part of the meeting. Three days of presentations will examine regional concerns such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, climate change and seabed minerals.
The overall theme of the conference is “Adapting to climate and environmental change in the Pacific Islands.”
Professor John Cullen of the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University is chairing the network presentation days.
Among those from the Pacific Islands making presentations are Esline Garaebiti, manager of Vanuatu’s meteorology and geohazards department, Litia Biukoto, SOPAC’s adviser on hazards assessment programme, Paul Taumoepeau, Tonga’s Nautilius country manager, Edwin Liava’a, Database GIS specialist, Pacific Hycos, SOPAC.