Cook Islanders confront US-funded vessel over seabed mining threat
COOK Islands activists in kayaks confronted a United States-funded exploration vessel as it returned to port in Rarotonga on Wednesday, holding a banner that read “Don’t Mine the
Environment
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia joins global “Lungs of the Earth” campaign ahead of COP30
IN the lead-up to COP30 this year, the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is involved in a global call for environmental action and advocacy called Lungs of the Earth. Together with other Anglican
Missiles threaten Guam species
THE United States’ Missile Defence Agency's plan to build a 360-degree missile defence system on Guam will take its toll on the island's shrinking limestone forests and pose danger to endemic plant and animal species
Youth lead environment change
YOUTH from across the Asia-Pacific gathered in Nadi for the recent Sixth Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of the
Lal Fiji’s first iGEM participant
Aayush Lal becomes the first Fijian to compete International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) event, this year in
We say: Save our reefs – Only we can save these treasures
Our reefs are treasured resources which must be protected at all costs. There is no substitute for these valuable assets which play an important role in the protection of the environment and the sustenance of human and
‘Playing gods with the cradle of life’: French Polynesia’s president issues warning over deep-sea mining
French Polynesia’s president has issued a stark warning over the risks of deep-sea mining, saying it will be allowed in his territory “over my dead body” as he argues the potential for environmental damage
Micronesian leader says he trusts Japan’s nuclear wastewater disposal process
Micronesian President Wesley Simina has expressed confidence in Japan’s treatment of radioactive water being dumped from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi power plant into the Pacific Ocean. “The visit to Fukushima
Researchers find active volcanic hotspot in Cook Islands seabed
Researchers have discovered a potentially younger and active volcanic hotspot beneath the Cook Islands’ waters, prompting excitement for geological understanding and raising calls for caution regarding seabed
Solomon Islands Opposition leader Wale calls for halt of proposed mining on San Jorge
Solomon Islands leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Minister of Mines & Energy to halt the proposed granting of a mining license to Far East Resources Company Ltd for nickel mining on San Jorge.
Plastic bottle and can collection and recycling programme launched in Tonga
Tongatapu residents are now able to earn money from returning their empty PET plastic beverage bottles and cans, in a new programme formally launched in Nuku’alofa Saturday. The programme is the result of a
Offshore firm to develop seafloor minerals: PNG Mining Department
Papua New Guinea will licence an offshore mining company to develop the mineral resources found on the seafloor, according to the Mining Department. It said offshore (deep-sea) mining was never considered possible due
Cook Islands government accused of misleading public on seabed mining
Cook Islands government is misleading the public into believing the country is undecided on whether to allow deep seabed mining, claims an advocate for ocean conservation and protection. Louisa Castledine’s
Giant clams rapidly vanish from the Pacific: IUCN
Giant clams have rapidly been disappearing from the world’s oceans, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature
Tonga keeps whale watching in check amid global concerns
Tonga, a popular destination for whale-swimming, has carefully balanced its tourism appeal with marine conservation
Paris Agreement ‘a failure’: Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Agovaka
Solomon Islands believes the Paris Agreement is failing humanity and so the world needs a stronger legally binding
Nauru uses high-profile UN address to press case for sea-bed mining
Nauru’s President David Adeang declared in a speech to the United Nations that the international community must not let “fear and misinformation” block the exploitation of sea-bed
Poll: Cook Islanders oppose deep sea mining
A recent online opinion poll conducted in the Cook Islands revealed that 66 per cent of residents oppose deep sea mining, while 49 percent disapprove of exploration. The government regulator overseeing seabed minerals
Opinion: World’s biggest deforestation project gets underway in Papua for sugarcane
Excavators have begun clearing land in the Indonesian region of Papua in what’s been described as the largest deforestation undertaking in the world. A total of 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of forests,
In French Polynesia, boom in whale-based tourism sparks concern
A giant whale stole the show at the Summer Olympic Games, shooting out of the water as athletes competed in women’s surfing semi-finals on the French Pacific island of Tahiti last month. It is for spectacular
Cook Islands Opposition welcomes regulations, warns against premature mining
The Cook Islands Opposition leader has welcomed the regulatory framework for deep-sea mining but maintains the stance against any mining activities until ‘environmentally friendly technology’ is available and Cook
Recyclers deserve respect and recognition, not handouts: PRA
In a significant shift for the local recycling sector, the Pacific Recyclers Alliance has recently gained formal recognition, marking a critical step forward for grassroots recycling advocates. This acknowledgment