Climate change activism and PNG Plans

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The Medium Term Development Plan III (MTDP III) states that PNG is a party to the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The signing and ratification of the UNFCCC by the Government of PNG (GOPNG) was done in 1992 and 1993 respectively.

The UNFCCC is also labeled as an intergovernmental treaty. The GOPNG together with other governments around the world signed on behalf of its citizens to address the problem of climate change. By December 2007, the treaty had been ratified by 192 countries.



The MTDP III stated that PNG has played a leading role in advancing the REDD+ agenda under the UNFCCC. REDD+ stands for countries' efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and foster conservation, sustainable management of forest, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

The GOPNG worked together with the United Nations Development Authority (UNDP) to developed the PNG National REDD+ strategy. The strategy is a key part of PNG's response to  climate change and the country's Green Growth Development agenda as per the National Strategy for Responsible and Sustainable Development.

Further more, the MTDP III states that;
"PNG needs to prepare and adapt to the climate related risks such as: coastal flooding and sea-level rise, some of the atolls and coastlines in the Islands Region have been flooded and drowned by the rise in sea level, inland flooding, food insecurity, cities and climate change, climate induced migration, damaged to coral reefs........"
The Alotau Accord II talks about climate change as well. The O'Neill-Abel government wants to strengthen adaptability to climate change challenges and will put more emphasis on disaster preparedness, responses and recovery.

The various GOPNG plans mention the problem of climate change. In particular, note the usage of an important international legal text - the UNFCCC. The challenge is for all Papua New Guineans to understand what the GOPNG is doing to address the issue inline with the UNFCCC.

The GOPNG through the Climate Change Development Authority needs to create a channel where they can advise the general public on a regular basis what they are doing. We also need to know the various policies and legislation. The Authority needs to broadcast to the public in a coordinated way what they are doing to foster a better understanding.

As an educated Papua New Guinean, how can you play a part in disseminating information about climate change to members of the community you come from?

We should be talking to our communities about the various plans created by the GOPNG and focus on such an important problem like climate change. Such activism will help us grow our knowledge about this particular problem. Also we will help our fellow citizens to become more responsible in how they treat the environment around them.  

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