Inoke Rabonu, Fiji Sun
“Relocation is a last resort for us,” says young Nauruan climate advocate, Kalvary Porte.
But it’s a reality her island nation is already preparing for.
Porte, who works in Nauru’s Climate Action Division, said the country is planning ahead to safeguard its people and future by advancing the Higher Ground Initiative (HGI), which will relocate communities and critical infrastructure inland to the country’s first-ever Pacific “smart village.”
“We are planning ahead, acting now, and seeking our partners’ support to deliver a sustainable and resilient nation,” she said.
Nauru is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, facing rising seas, environmental degradation, overcrowding, and severe resource limitations.
Porte said the solution lies in blending science with cultural wisdom.
“We as the generation of now are still learning, and it’s important that this knowledge comes from our traditional society,” she said.
“Anything that works for other Pacific nations may not work in your own country. It has to be passed down, shared, and adapted for our own realities.”
Her division is rolling out adaptation measures including updating the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), integrating climate change and traditional knowledge into school curriculums, developing national drought plans, and building sea walls to protect coastal communities.
But the impacts are already biting, eroding traditional medicine sources, threatening food security, and complicating responses to health crises such as the current dengue outbreak.
Porte is also calling for stronger youth voices in climate policy.
“Young people bring unique skills and innovative ideas, but their input is often filtered or only included during implementation,” she said. “We need to be at the decision-making table.”
Her message to Pacific youth: “Believe in your voice. Small actions matter — from sharing ideas and organising clean-ups to speaking at events. Stay resilient and celebrate every step forward.”
The inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage, guided by the theme “Navigating our Future” is held from 7- 8 August, Taumeasina Resort, Samoa. This precedes the Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue 2025 to be held from 11-12 August at the same venue in Samoa.
The inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage and the Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue 2025 are made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
Hosted by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the dialogues bring together Pacific governments, youths, civil society, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to collectively advance the region’s priorities on Loss and damage.
This story was produced by the Pacific Media Team covering the meetings. Their attendance is made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.
For more information, please contact SPREP Climate Change Adaptation Adviser, Ms Filomena Nelson [email protected], SPREP Climate Change Loss and Damage Officer, Ms Jessica Rodham [email protected] or Media and Public Relations Officer, Mr Keni Lesa [email protected]