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Two of the most remote and vulnerable atolls in the Pacific

July 03, 2009
Locals on Pukapuka Island receive supplies from the Greenpeace ship the Esperanza (anchored in the background). This remote Pacific island has been targeted by the Cook Islands government as being particularly vulnerable to changes in climate due to its remoteness and low-lying geography. Greenpeace and their vessel the MY Esperanza are currently touring the region in order to highlight the need for developed countries to decrease their carbon emissions dramatically so as not to negatively affect low-lying communities in the South Pacific, which are some of the most vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change.

Locals on Pukapuka Island receive supplies from the Greenpeace ship the Esperanza (anchored in the background).

Enlarge image

Cook Islands — A very full Esperanza arrived at the tiny atolls of Pukapuka and Nassau this week, with much needed supplies and a team of 10 Cook Islanders from the National Environment Service, the Red Cross and local climate change groups.

Being transported by Greenpeace from Rarotonga saved the Cooks Islands team the expense of chartering a private plane or boat – the only other way to get there.

Why are we there?

Pukapuka and Nassau were selected for a series of adaptation assessments because of their remoteness and vulnerability to climate change impacts.

In 2005, the islands were devastated by five cyclones in five weeks. The fourth and strongest of these, Cyclone Percy, left only 10 percent of the houses on Pukapuka intact and wiped out all of the buildings on Nassau. Today, the islands are experiencing an increase in mosquitos, shifting rainfall patterns, drought and coastal erosion. Traditional planting methods and food security are also threatened due to the saltwater inundation of crop soils.

In this video, our climate campaigner, Trish, talks about how residents on Pukapuka are impacted by climate change

Greenpeace is assisting with household surveys and community workshops. These will identify climate change impacts being experienced now, potential impacts in the future and what the community needs to adapt to them. We will also assist with much needed GPS mapping to identify vulnerable areas of the atoll and its outer reefs.

The assessments will be used at the key global climate meeting in Copenhagen as part of the Cooks Islands’ proactive appeal for fair adaptation funds for Pacific nations.

Watch this video explaining why we are touring the Pacific

Pacific pride

The Pacific Islanders have a strong and proud culture, as well as a determination to stay on their islands. Their future is threatened by climate change impacts caused by preventable first world emissions.

Greenpeace will stand with them as they call on countries like Australia to stand up for their Pacific neighbours at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Cairns in August and for global leaders to agree a strong global climate change treaty at Copenhagen in December.

The Pacific Voices tour – where to next?

The Esperanza crew will continue on to Samoa and Vanuatu to document the voices of communities and activists at the frontline of climate change. We will also hold political meetings, NGO workshops and open boat days for schools and the public.

View the Esperanza webcam

Recent videos

Meet Ulamila, climate activist from the Cook Islands

Whalerider actress talks about climate change impacts in the Pacific

Recent blog posts from the ship

Pukapuka: Remote, Vulnerable And Excited To See Us

Ship log from week 2 on the Esperanza