RESCCUE REGIONAL DOCUMENTARY

The Pacific Islands Countries and Territories are widely regarded as among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. A major issue for PICTs over the coming decades, therefore, lies in their capacity to adapt and develop their resilience. But as global greenhouse gases emissions continue to increase, the range of adaptation options shrinks, and they become more uncertain and costly. Biodiversity is also at risk, further threatening local livelihoods and the resilience of Pacific communities to climate change.

In the fall of the 2018, our team took on a multimedia project which included documentary video, animation and photography, documenting the work of the SPC’s RESCCUE project. RESCCUE (Restoration of ecosystem services and adaptation to climate change) was coordinated by the Pacific Community (SPC) from 2014 to 2019. Its overarching goal was to strengthen the resilience of Pacific Island Countries and Territories. To this end, RESCCUE supported adaptation to climate change through integrated coastal management, resorting especially to economic analysis as well as innovative economic and financial mechanisms.

Our team visited seven of the project’s pilot sites in four countries and territories: Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Vanuatu; filming stories which included coral replanting efforts, sustainable pearl farming, mangrove plantation, and bird conservation.