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Pacific RISA, a NOAA CAP/RISA team, co-lead investigator Laura Brewington organizes the first Pacific Ecological Security Conference (PESC)

Credit: PESC
Credit: PESC

Laura Brewington, co-lead investigator for Pacific RISA, a NOAA CAP/RISA team, organized the first Pacific Ecological Security Conference (PESC) to discuss the threat of climate change and invasive species in the Pacific region. Hosted by the Government of Palau, the East-West Center, the Pacific Community (SPC), the Global Environment Facility, the Nature Conservancy, the US Office of Insular Affairs, and the US Forest Service, PESC convened over 100 biosecurity experts, development partners, regional organizations, agricultural and natural resource managers, researchers, and government delegations in Palau from October 3-5, 2022. Twenty-four of those attendees were entirely or partially funded by Pacific RISA, ensuring representation from 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories. 

Climate change is expected to alter mechanisms for invasive species transport through tourism and shipping, the distribution of already present invasive species, and the effectiveness of current methods to control invasive species. Participants shared stories from across the region about the multi-faceted and devastating impacts of invasive species on climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem sustainability. These stories and shared information have built momentum around the issue and have already been translated into legislative outcomes: At the Association of Pacific Island Leaders (APIL) meeting in mid-October, Resolution 39-GA-15 was passed to endorse and support invasive species management, control, and eradication in Micronesia. PESC will host its second conference in 2 years to continue the conversation and momentum. 

To read more about the conference, click here »

To access resources and presentations, click here »

To learn more about Pacific RISA, click here »

For more information, contact Laura Brewington.

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