by Puaseiese Adrienne Pedro, Office Prime Minister Tuvalu
In the heart of the Pacific, where the beauty of nature meets the harsh realities of climate change, Ms. Kalvary Porte stands as a beacon of hope and resilience.
Representing the island nation of Nauru at the inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage, she embodies the spirit of a generation determined to confront the challenges posed by a warming planet.
"Climate change is not a distant threat, it is a reality we face every day," Ms. Porte says. Having learned from her elders about resilience and adaptability, she knows all too well the struggles that her community faces.
"Despite our teachings, we are feeling the impacts more than ever, and we are running out of solutions. We need help," she says.
In Nauru, rising temperatures have made life increasingly difficult for farmers and fishermen. "The heat is unbearable for our livestock, and our fishermen are returning with either empty nets or low catch, as the warming seas disrupt marine life," she explains.
The consequences extend beyond immediate livelihoods, even local and traditional medicines are vanishing.
"Our papaya trees, once abundant and vital for our health, are suffering. This loss of traditional resources is a tragedy for our culture and well-being."
As the Manager of the Department of Climate Change and National Resilience, Ms. Porte is actively working towards integrating Loss and Damage into her government’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the education system for young children.
"We're also developing a drought response plan in partnership with other organizations," she shares.
Furthermore, the government is constructing seawalls to protect the 20% of the population living in coastal areas and has initiated a programme to relocate communities and infrastructure to safer zones, known as the first ‘Pacific Smart Village, namely, the Higher Ground Initiative (HGI) which is the centerpiece of adaptation of Nauru.
However, Ms. Porte knows that local efforts alone cannot combat this global crisis.
"The voices of Pacific youth are often unheard, and it is crucial for us to advocate for cooperation from larger, more developed nations,” she says.
“This dialogue provides an opportunity for us to share our stories, strengthen our capacities, and explore effective practices that will pave the way for justice and compensation for those of us who are the victims of climate change."
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]