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Climate Change and Migration: An urgent Pacific issue  

Wed, 20 May 2009 
Suva, Fiji -- Over the coming years, Pacific Island countries face the likelihood of 
increasing numbers of people compelled to leave their homes and livelihoods as a 
consequence of environmental changes produced by global warming.   
 
Professor Vijay Naidu, Director of Development Studies and the Head of the School of 
Governance and Development Studies at the University of the South Pacific (USP) said, 
“According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) there is no 
question about continuing increase in global temperatures. Climate change is upon us. 
Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, cyclones and accompanying waves and 
tidal surges are already impacting communities globally. For Pacific island countries 
these natural hazards and rising sea level pose serious challenges that cannot be wished 
away.” 
 
Accordingly, from 14-15 May 2009, the UNESCO/Asia Pacific Migration Research 
Network (APMRN) and the School of Governance and Development Studies jointly 
hosted an important two day workshop on ‘Climate Change Related Migration in the 
Pacific’ at the USP Graduate School of Business, Statham Campus, Suva, Fiji. 
 
The workshop brought together over 30 leading Pacific experts in the fields of climate 
change and migration, representatives from key Pacific regional institutions and 
postgraduate students from the University of the South Pacific, University of Auckland, 
University of Waikato, University of PNG, UNESCO/APMRN, The Pacific Island 
Forum Secretariat,  and the UNDP Pacific Centre.  
 
Pacific island countries will need to increase their attention to climate change adaption, 
because while atoll states are most vulnerable to the loss of fresh water lenses and 
inundation, those living in river deltas and high altitude regions of larger islands are also 
exposed to flooding and frost.  
 
The workshop therefore provided an overview of environmentally forced migration in the 
Pacific region, including climate change and gender relations. Participants examined the 
widespread socio-political, cultural and economic impacts of climate change for Pacific 
Island countries, with specific focus on tourism, agriculture, food security, fisheries, 
marine resources, and on fragile coastal zones.  
 
This included case studies relating to sea level rise and relocation of Carteret Islanders in 
Papua New Guinea, and climate change and floods in urban Fiji.  
 
Workshop participants are collaboratively developing a regional agenda for policy and 
research.  
 
According to Professor Naidu, “As climate change impacts negatively on human 

 

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livelihoods there is a likelihood of people seeking to relocate within countries and from 
one country to another. Migration both rural to urban and internationally is already a 
reality in most Pacific countries. It is critical that such movements be anticipated and 
planned for and when they occur, appropriately managed, otherwise numerous problems 
including inter-community tensions and open conflict are likely to arise. There are 
cultural, gender, generational, livelihood and sovereignty matters at stake which 
researchers and policy makers should address now.” 
 
During the workshop, a selection of short films from the SPREPS Climate Change Film 
Festival were also shown, including films from Kiribati, Cook Islands, Fiji and Federated 
States of Micronesia. 

 

For further information on the workshop please contact Shirley Tagi, Media, PR and 
events Manager, USP at +679 3232355 or email tagi_sh@usp.ac.fj