Environment
Tuna fishing progress “too slow”
Saturday 6 December 2014 | Published in Environment
Pacific island states expressed frustration on Wednesday at a lack of progress in talks aimed at protecting the region’s valuable tuna resources, accusing powerful faraway fishing nations of stalling on conservation measures.
Climate change talks kick off in Peru
Thursday 4 December 2014 | Published in Environment
A team of Cook Islanders have joined over 15,000 delegates at the 20th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Lima, Peru.
Rakahanga revving up with renewable energy
Thursday 4 December 2014 | Published in Environment
The Northern Group atoll of Rakahanga is now powered by renewable solar energy.
Tokelau Agreement to curb tuna shortages
Tuesday 2 December 2014 | Published in Environment
The Tokelau Agreement will curb the growing shortage of tuna fishing in Cook Islands waters, says the Ministry of Marine Resources.
Cook Islands sign tuna pact
Monday 1 December 2014 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands is one of seven countries that have added their signatures to the new pact that aims to put the southern albacore tuna fishery on a sustainable footing.
Lights to go on in Palmerston
Saturday 29 November 2014 | Published in Environment
The lights may soon be on at Palmerston as cargo to begin solar energy construction has arrived.
Eco-police on the job at Vaka Eiva
Saturday 29 November 2014 | Published in Environment
Around 600 paddlers are on the island taking part in the11th Vaka Eiva event generating a large amount of waste.
Cook Islands to join global climate change talks in Peru
Friday 28 November 2014 | Published in Environment
he Cook Islands will be joining over 15,000 delegates at the 20th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Lima, Peru from 1 to 12 December this year. The annual gathering that brings together all Parties to negotiate a global agreement on climate change is of strong significance for the Pacific islands who collectively contribute to less than 0.03 per cent of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions however are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts. The Cook Islands is amongst these. "We have several key agenda items that we will be following," said Ms. Ana Tiraa, Head of the Climate Change Division and the Cook Islands delegation attending the UNFCCC COP 20. "This coming conference is very complex with many different agenda threads all being negotiated at the same time, but for us we have very specific issues to follow, issues which impact our nation directly." Loss and Damage, Climate Change Financing, Adaptation and the Ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action will be followed by the Cook Islands delegation. The members consist of Ana Tiraa, Office of the Prime Minister, Amelia Fukofuka, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Lavinia Tama, Ministry of Finance and Economic Management residing on Rarotonga. They will be joined by Cook Islanders residing in Samoa working for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) - Diane McFadzien, Ewan Cameron and Nanette Woonton. Also to make up the delegation is Linda Siegele who has provided technical assistance to the delegation for many years. "These agenda issues we will be negotiating on behalf of the Cook Islands may just seem like technical terminology however they have real implications on our people. Loss and Damage for example looks at impacts from extreme weather events and slow onset events such as sea level rise and ocean acidification," said Tiraa. "These are impacts we feel but we are not the cause of them, so we are negotiating how best we can be accommodated for our loss caused now and losses that are to come as well as how to stop it from happening." Another important agenda item followed by the Cook Islands is the Ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action also known as the ADP. This is a new body under the climate change Convention to develop a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force applicable to all Parties that will help slow climate change. This new agreement will be considered for adoption by Parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties to be held in Paris 2015. The upcoming negotiations in Lima are important as it sets the foundation for Paris. "Having the Cook Islands in the room when these issues are being negotiated is important for our survival, we must persevere and be hopeful. “While the results aren't immediate you must remember that climate change isn't immediate also - the impacts we are feeling now are from greenhouse gas emissions from over a hundred years ago. “We must persevere to negotiate favourable outcomes for us all." The 20th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is hosted in Lima, Peru from 1 - 12 December. For more information please visit www.unfccc.int
'Love your coast' delivers litter education
Monday 24 November 2014 | Published in Environment
Help Keep beaches rubbish-free, the way they should be.
Meeting aims to improve geospatial information in the Pacific
Saturday 22 November 2014 | Published in Environment
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and outline a regional strategy for advancing geospatial information development and encouraging regional collaboration.
Bird lover visits Kakerori
Saturday 15 November 2014 | Published in Environment
Passion for the outdoors and birds keeps 90-year old Diana Dombroski active, fit, and full of life.
Rubbish removal campaign steps up
Saturday 15 November 2014 | Published in Environment
Turangi mother of two Ruth Horton, who has six jobs, is on a mission – a mission to highlight the destructive rubbish culture on the island.
Love Your Coast beach clean-up this weekend
Friday 14 November 2014 | Published in Environment
‘Love Your Coast’ has been working with local athletes, schools and anyone who loves their beaches to protect what we all love – our beaches and oceans.
Canoes deliver Pacific message
Thursday 13 November 2014 | Published in Environment
Traditional Pacific island canoes sailed into Sydney Harbour on Wednesday after a journey across a vast expanse of ocean, bringing an urgent message to the world about climate change.
Cook Islands set to sign up to Tuna limits
Friday 7 November 2014 | Published in Environment
Tuna fishing limits are set to be signed by the Cook Islands – a significant step as a nation with one of the largest fishing areas among Pacific countries.
School kids find used nappies at Nikao beach
Friday 7 November 2014 | Published in Environment
20 nappies and 66 kg of rubbish were found at Nikao beach and picked up by Papa’aroa School students learning with Marae Moana and Love Your Coast.
Historic agreement on Tuna fishing
Thursday 6 November 2014 | Published in Environment
A HISTORIC agreement will see countries like the Cook Islands take more control over swiftly depleting Tuna fishing stocks.
Conservation conversations
Friday 31 October 2014 | Published in Environment
Prime Minister hosted a delegation from Conservation International on Wednesday morning which also involved a session with his Cabinet.
Voyagers receive Gold Coast turou
Thursday 30 October 2014 | Published in Environment
Traditional voyaging canoes on the ‘Mua: Guided by Nature’ voyage arrived in Australia two days earlier than expected.
Maritime operation nabs 12 vessels
Tuesday 28 October 2014 | Published in Environment
The FORUM Fisheries Agency's Pacific region annual maritime surveillance sweep of Pacific fishing waters has netted a record 12 vessels in potential breach of their fishing licences.
