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Pacific Environment Now

Pacific DMCs share some common characteristics that pose a threat to their fragile environment:

• geographical isolation
• high rate of species extinction
• limited land resources
• rapid population growth
• heavy dependence on marine resources
• vulnerability to natural disasters, external shocks, and global changes

These threats must be addressed and the capacities of local governments and sectoral agencies to manage their resources strengthened. Also, improved participation of civil society and local communities in natural resources protection and environmental conservation must be promoted. Otherwise, the destruction of the Pacific environment and its natural resources will continue unabated.

The draft strategy reviews the current environmental issues and response strategies in the Pacific. It summarizes the most significant trends regarding the natural systems of the region and key constraints to the region's sustainable development.

Eight major environmental and natural resources management issues with associated trends, and challenges and responses are covered:

• freshwater resources
• coastal and marine resources
• forest and land use
• waste management and urbanization
• biodiversity
• energy and environment linkages
• climate change and variability
• environmental governance