| Pacific
Climate Change Film Festival
The Films * Denotes Pacific Climate Change Film Project participant.
 Cook
Islands
Meena^5 *
Pitt Media Group
English, 2008, 10:13
In February 2005, the Cook Islands were hit by Cyclone
Meena, bringing with it winds of over 80 knots and storm
surge that caused flooding of many areas. Wtih the storm's
passing, most thought the worst was behind them. However,
in the course of the next month the Cooks experienced four
more tropical cyclones - an unprecedented number in such
a short period of time. This film looks at the aftermath
of the 2005 events and asks whether this is a sign of things
to come as the result of global climate change.
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 Cook
Islands
Kia Vai Teateamamao (Be Prepared): Traditional
climate forecasting in the Cook Islands
Cook Islands National Environment Service
Maori Kuki 'Airani/English, 2005, 28:00
This documentary examines some traditional methods of
forecasting extreme changes in weather and explains how
Cook Islanders have prepared for these changes.
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Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei experiences global warming
Conservation Society of Pohnpei.
English/Pohnpeian, 2008,13:26
Tells the story of unexpected sea level rise and its impact
on the lives of the people of Pohnpei. Though Pohnpei is
a mountainous island, the majority of its citizens live
in the coastal area and have experienced unexpected sea
level rise several times in the first months of 2008. As
low-lying atolls, the five outer islands of Pohnpei State
are particularly vulnerable to any change in sea levels.
The film examines ways in which the Conservation Society
of Pohnpei, a local NGO, and the Pohnpeian people are responding
to this growing threat.
|
 Republic
of the Marshall Islands
Ad Jolet: Anikien RiMajol Kon Climate Change
High Tide Productions
Marshallese/English, 2008, 05:00
As one of the most vulnerable nations in the world, the
Marshalls are among the very first to experience the devastating
effects of sea level rise and other climate-related problems.
Interviews with Marshallese from different segments of
society shed light on the costs involved with the loss
of their homeland and cultural identity as a result of
climate change.
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Kiribati
The Island of my Ancestors *
Naamon Marae/Television Kiribati Limited
te taetae ni Kiribati/English, 2008, 17:34
Another intriguing look at the climate-related problems
faced by Kiribati and the unique solutions it has developed.
The film focuses on the threat posed to the rich I-Kiribati
cultural heritage by climate change, in addition to the
potential loss of their homeland.
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 Kiribati
Kiribati and global warming
Nei Tabera Ni Kai
te taetae ni Kiribati/English, 2008, 15:59
As a nation comprised entirely of low-lying atolls, Kiribati
will bear the brunt of sea level rise resulting from climate
change. This unique film looks at ways in which the country
and its people are preparing for the challenge, drawing
on a rich tradition of overcoming challenges.
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Papua New Guinea
An uncertain future
Pacific Black Box, Inc.
Pidgin/English, 2008, 10:00
A comprehensive look at the environmental, cultural and
social impacts of climate change on PNG's rich heritage.
|
 Papua
New Guinea
mmm.missing.taro
Pacific Black Box, Inc.
Papua New Guinea: Pidgin/English, 2008, 03:14
Taro is a central part of life in PNG and throughout the
Pacific. Unfortunately it is also extremely sensitive to
salt water intrusion as the result of climate change. This
short film focuses on the dietary and cultural costs of
losing these crops.
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Samoa
O le uto ma le Maene: Climate change impacts
in Samoa *
Paradigm Documentaries
Samoan/English, 2008, 28:51
“E le laa le uto I le maene, pe sopo a’e le
tai I le eleele” (the float does not usurp the sinker,
nor can the sea encroach on the land) is a verse from a
traditional song of the Gataula, a singing group from Asau,
Savaii. The song is about the boundaries that exist in
the natural and human worlds, boundaries that have been
established through the ages to maintain harmony among
people and in the environment that sustains them. But these
boundaries are collapsing and, as witnessed today, the
sea is encroaching on the land.
|
 Samoa
Coral currency takes a dive: Samoan tourism
in a warming world
Holly Pepper, Julia Scott-Stevenson, Ed Langham and Anna
Gero
Samoan/English, 2008,14:33
Pristine
beaches, swaying coconut palms, turquoise waters: the
images of Samoa that are conjured in the minds of people
the world over. Samoa relies on its natural beauty to attract
visitors from overseas, and these visitors are vital to
the country’s economy. But climate change has the
potential to greatly impact on the natural environment,
the very thing that is so important to the functioning
of the tourism industry. This documentary by a group of
Australian volunteers in Samoa examines those potential
impacts, and the effects they may have on the livelihoods
of the Samoan people.
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Tuvalu
Sinking rights
Fiji Human Rights Commission
Tuvaluan/English, 2007, 34:26
Sinking rights focuses on Tuvalu – a small atoll
island state in the Pacific. Warm and welcoming, the Tuvaluan
people talk about their fears as they feel the brunt of
severe weather conditions, coastal erosions, depleting
crops and the slow death of the Tuvaluan way of life. As
the island nations come to grips with the adverse impacts
of climate change, its people are starting to question – is
there a “right to environment?”
|
 Vanuatu
Global
Warming: Who’s Responsible?
Live and Learn Environmental Education
Vanuatu: Pigin/English, 2008, 15:41
The
entry from Vanuatu uses a variety of innovative techniques
such as dramatisations and animations to illustrate the
impacts of climate change on the country, in particularly
its vulnerable outer islands. It also examines the concept
of "common but differentiated responsibility" and
offers a number of constructive solutions for the Vanuatu
people to help reduce the island's carbon imprint and to
prepare for the adverse effects of climate change.
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Climate change and the Pacific Pacific island countries are among the most vulnerable nations
in the world to the impacts of extreme weather events. Climate
change will radically alter the social, economic and environmental
fabric of Pacific communities. The challenge faced by Pacific island countries is how to engage
people in the issue of climate change; to encourage not only a
greater understanding of the issue, but to incite action. The challenge
is also how to draw on the strengths of Pacific communities to
adapt to climate variability and change. Click here for
more information on SPREP’s climate change programme
For more information, contact:
Nanette Woonton
Media Officer
nanettew@sprep.org
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