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The Pacific will experience its third La Niña in a row, brining wetter-than-usual weather to some parts of the region, while droughts will persist in other areas. Radio Australia interview with Salesa Nihmei

A new report has found that more than 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was dumped or burned globally last year, which is the equivalent of 350 cruise ships, and up more than 20 per cent in just five years. The UN's Global E-waste Monitor 2020 also ranked Oceania as the second highest region, per capita, of e-waste, with each person generating 16.1 kilograms on average, it said. Common e-waste items include old mobile phones, batteries, TVs, computers and tablets. But Australia and New Zealand are the leading producers of that e-waste, with people in Pacific countries like Samoa and Tonga estimated to produce 3.1 kilograms per person, and in Fiji and PNG, the figure was just 1.5 kilograms. It's a problematic issue across the globe but in the Pacific, where in many countries there isn't the space for all this dumped technology, problems are looming. The region's peak environment body, SPREP, is working on several projects to tackle the issue. Bradley Nolan, the Project Manager for PacWastePlus, which is funded by the European Union, told Pacific Beat "disposable societies and large incomes" in countries like Australia and New Zealand explain why residents in those countries produce such large quantities of e-waste. And he suggested that Australia and other donor partners may in fact contribute to some of the e-waste in Pacific nations, with equipment such as computers donated when they had reached their end-of-life there. "There have been some incidents where some of the metropolitan countries [ie Australia, New Zealand] when some of their products are at the end of their useful life, say in a government department, has gifted those to countries to help out. "But of course they have less life, so they become an instant e-waste problem when they hit the islands...so aid and the work that people are attempting to do, with great intentions, creates some significant problems at the other end," he said.

Finland is about as far away from the Pacific as you can get, but that country's government is funding a project to the tune of around five and a half million Australian dollars to deliver improved weather, climate and warning services to the region. Working with SPREP, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program, the FINPAC project which is targeting most of the Pacific Island states and territories is three-quarters of the way through its four year term. Project manager Christina Leala-Gale has been reflecting on what FINPAC has achieved over the first three years.

The good and bad of tourism for the environment in developing countries. Beautiful forest and marine areas are attracting more tourists, but the effects of large number of people can damage them and make tourist bench short lived. The type of tourist to push for more environmentally aware tourism industry.

This comprehensive National Assessment Report (NAR) was prepared by Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the global review of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA), originally adopted in 1994 as part of the global conference on sustainable development in small island states The report fulfills one of three purposes: to evaluate PNG's progress in implementing the BPoA; to identify key challenges and constraints; and to propose actions for overcoming these obstacles It serves both national accountability and contributes to a regional/global assessment of SIDS commitments under the Programme.

Copper mine in the Namoci Fiji have been in pipeline for Australian Mining corporation and local community have been approached on how this site will be operating. Tailings dam can take up alot of land but can contain the waste from the mining corporations. The impact of the mine may affect the coral reefs, leading to coral bleaching. The ecological stressors have caused the coral to bleach.

The lost of forestry and wildlife in Melanesian countries. To create environmentally and economically logging companies in Pacific island countries without destroying the forestry areas. Solomon islands government decision of the logging processes of the new licenses. A long time strategy to move away from the export of raw logging, which cause some environmental impact on the wildlife habitats.

A regional workshop was organized in Suva, Fiji, aimed at bolstering environmental journalism among media professionals from nine Pacific Island nations. Hosted by prominent environmental organizations, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the event aimed to strengthen reporters’ ability to cover complex environmental issues, with an initial focus on climate change The Pacific is acutely vulnerable to environmental threats such as intensifying cyclones, sea-level rise, and coastal flooding, yet regional media remain under-equipped to report these dangers effectively. Better-informed journalism is seen as essential to influence policy, raise community awareness, and support climate adaptation strategies . The curriculum encompassed: Simplifying scientific and technical environmental information for broader audiences, Investigating and sourcing credible data, Crafting impactful narratives for print, radio, digital, and broadcast formats, Networking with climate and environmental experts to deepen reporting quality . Outcomes & Goals Journalists left the training inspired and better prepared, equipped with tools to translate complex climate issues into compelling public stories. The workshop aimed to foster a durable network of informed environmental correspondents across the Pacific, strengthening regional media collaboration and coverage.

1. Overview & Concerns A regional report titled “Poisoned Paradise” examines the environmental consequences of pesticide use across South Pacific islands, highlighting the ecological risks of toxic chemicals in agriculture and disease control . 2. Tonga – Tongan Megapode (“Malau”) The report raises concerns about pesticide exposure in Tonga’s fragile ecosystems, including impacts on unique species like the endangered Tongan megapode (Megapodius pritchardii). While direct studies are limited, ongoing threats include habitat degradation and potential chemical contamination in breeding grounds—often geothermal nests on volcanic soils. 3. Rarotonga – Indigenous Fly Species In Rarotonga (Cook Islands), pesticide usage to control agricultural pests and disease vectors (e.g., fruit flies, mosquitoes) threatens endemic insect populations, disrupting local food webs and ecological balance. Residues may accumulate in soils, water, and non-target wildlife—posing risks to biodiversity and human communities. 4. Broader Regional Themes The report indicates South Pacific nations increasingly rely on pesticides without sufficient regulation, labelling, monitoring, or disposal systems, leading to misuse and environmental contamination Over half of these countries report negative impacts from toxic chemicals in agriculture and public health initiatives, raising the need for stronger governance on chemical management. 5. Recommendations & Path Forward Strengthen regulatory frameworks: Licensing, proper labelling, safe use protocols. Build local capacity: Training for farmers, pest control operatives, and environmental officers. Promote integrated pest management and safer alternatives like biological controls. Enhance monitoring and waste disposal infrastructure to prevent environmental build-up. Foster regional cooperation to share research, best practices, and regulatory support.

PNG government has released its new forestry guidelines, with and intention to reform the forestry industry operating in the country. This process began with the bar netting quarry in the late 80s portrayed part of the industry as out of control. In 1991 a new forestry act began changing the way timber were being harvested. The computing courses allow weather offices to analyse and advice on the weather of their own countries.