The Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI) Division of NOAA’s Climate Program Office (CPO) supports international adaptation and capacity building activities through a partnership with the U.S. Department of State, working closely with entities across NOAA, the U.S. Government, and the external community to foster adaptation and enhance resilience in key countries around the world. Several new CPO projects, including those focused on island resilience and coastal blue carbon, were highlighted during events hosted by the U.S. Center during the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Island nations are among the most vulnerable to climate change, but they are also at the forefront of efforts to adapt and develop pathways to climate resilience and sustainable development. To highlight new U.S. investments in island-led networks and capacity building, including the Local2030 Islands Network, CSI worked with the U.S. Department of State to organize a COP26 event on Partnerships for Island Resilience: Sharing Solutions in the Great Ocean States. The 44th President of the United States Barack Obama provided opening remarks, and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad moderated a high-level panel composed of President Obama, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of Fiji, Minister Simon Stiell of Grenada, and Director Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner of Jo-Jikum, a nonprofit dedicated to youth and environmentalism and Climate Envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Island leaders discussed climate concerns and solutions during the event. View the recorded session »
Through partnerships with the Local2030 Islands Network, the Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessment (RISA) Program and the U.S. Caribbean Resilience Partnership, CSI collaborates with islands to conduct scientific and technical activities in response to island-identified needs, and to foster island leadership in combating the climate crisis and promoting resilience in ways that reflect their unique cultures. This work, as well as the RISA Program’s investment in interdisciplinary climate adaptation research and equity-focused community engagement, was also highlighted as NOAA contributions to the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) during the session Adapting to Thrive: US Action on Global Adaptation. This event featured Administrator Spinrad, Administrator Samantha Power of USAID, and Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina of the U.S. Department of State. View the session (action begins ~7 minutes in) »
