PACIFIC – New research shows targets set out in the Paris climate change agreement may not be enough to offset sea level rise in the next 300 years. The research, published this week in the journal Nature Communications, says the world will experience sea level rise of between 0.7 and 1.2 metres even if the targets are met.

The Paris Agreement was signed by most countries in December 2015, when they agreed to lower their greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to stave off the most drastic effects of climate change.

Two years later, many countries are struggling to meet their commitments, and the United States – the world’s second-largest polluter – has pulled out altogether.

Today’s research, led by Matthias Mengel from Germany’s Potsdam Institute, says even if emissions are reined in immediately sea level rise will continue for centuries, as glaciers and the Antarctic ice shelf are already melting.

It says because emissions in the coming decades influence sea levels in the coming centuries, it’s crucial that action is taken urgently.

Dengue outbreak declared

FIJI – Health authorities in Fiji have declared an outbreak of dengue fever in Nadi and the nearby town of Ba.

There have been 312 confirmed cases of dengue in the Western Division since the beginning of the year and most of the cases are in Nadi and Ba which are on the main island of Viti Levu.

The Ministry of Heath said it was particularly concerned with the high numbers of patients needing to be admitted to hospital, most of them with severe dengue.

Ten patients a week are being admitted to hospital with the mosquito-borne disease.

There have been about 860 cases throughout the country since the start of the year.

The government has urged people to avoid being bitten by mosquitos by using repellants containing DEET.

It said mosquito surveys conducted by the Ministry’s Nadi Health Office in January reported a very high level of breeding of the Aedes species of mosquito which spreads dengue fever.

Climate funds for Vanuatu

VANUATU – The Green Climate Fund is to inject US$28 million dollars into the Vanuatu Ministry of Climate Change to help the country address climate change.

The Daily Post says the five year project will address key climate change vulnerabilities and support climate change resilience development with a focus on infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, agriculture and health.

Vanuatu is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and one of the world’s most at-risk places for natural disasters like cyclones, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

The Green Climate Fund is a fund established within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Its stated purpose is to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.

The GCF is based in South Korea and is governed by a Board of representatives from 24 countries, including most of the world’s most advanced economies.