Pacific Island Regional Assessment of the Consequences of
Climate Change and Variablility
(The Pacific Assessment)

Eileen Shea
Climate Project Coordinator
East-West Center
Phone: (808) 944-7253
e-mail: sheae@eastwestcenter.org

This report summarizes the key findings and recommendations of the Pacific Islands Regional Assessment of the Consequences of Climate Variability and Change (the Pacific Assessment). The Pacific Assessment was conducted as a regional contribution to the first U.S. National Assessment of the Consequences of Climate Variability and Change (the National Assessment). The National Assessment was organized by the agencies contributing to the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; appendix A provides a brief overview of the National Assessment. The Pacific Assessment was coordinated by the East-West Center in collaboration with scientific partners at institutions throughout the region.

A vital part of the Assessment were the two workshops organized to encourage and accommodate broad-based regional participation. Participants in both workshops were invited to comment on the draft report, which was made available for public review on the East-West Center climate website (www2.eastwestcenter.org/climate/assessment). A detailed summary of the comments received and addressed during the review is available upon request. The final report was reviewed and approved by the Pacific Assessment Steering Committee, and will be available electronically at the same site.

This report reflects the passionate involvement and support of nearly 200 participants in the Pacific Assessment, whose expertise and insights contributed to the findings and recommendations summarized herein. The Assessment was an exciting and highly interactive process of research and dialogue, in which each participant provided a unique and valued contribution. As I noted during the November 2000 Workshop on Climate and Island Coastal Communities, the Assessment belongs to these committed participants, and I have done my best to ensure that this report conveys their insights as well as their enthusiasm.

Mahalo to all who were a part of the Pacific Islands Regional Assessment. In particular, I would like to highlight the work of the Steering Committees for the March 1998 and November 2000 Workshops, and the chairs and rapporteurs for our working-group discussions during those two central events (see Appendices D and E for a full list of these important individuals).

Mahalo nui loa in particular to the members of my Steering Committee. The Pacific Assessment could not have been produced without their commitment and insights. Appendix C to this report provides a list of this dedicated group of advisors.

Similarly, I extend a very special mahalo to the colleagues who comprised the core scientific team for the Pacific Islands Regional Assessment: Glenn Dolcemascolo (East-West Center); Michael P. Hamnett, Cheryl Anderson, Nancy Lewis, and Johannes Loschnigg (University of Hawai'i); Tony Barnston (International Research Institute for Climate Prediction of Columbia University); Gerald Meehl (National Center for Atmospheric Research); Charles (Chip) Guard (U.S. National Weather Service, Guam Office; formerly with the University of Guam); and Luke He (U.S. National Weather Service, National Centers for Environmental Prediction). I was proud to be part of this team, and could not have asked for a more qualified and dedicated group of colleagues. I am particularly grateful for the contributions of Glenn Dolcemascolo, who was both a vital member of the core scientific team, and, as my Research Assistant on the project, a constant source of support and energy.

I would also like to acknowledge the assistance and support of the leadership and staff of the East-West Center. My heartfelt mahalo nui loa goes in particular to: Arlene Hamasaki for her tireless clerical and administrative support; Karen Yamamoto for her valuable insights and guidance in fiscal matters; June Kuramoto for the central role she played as program officer for the November 2000 Workshop; Shane Hasegawa and Jonathon Chow for making the Regional Assessment website a reality; Elisa Johnston and her staff in the Publications Office for their guidance and support in preparation of this report; and Marshall Kingsbury, Cathy Hirano, Kathleen Clarke and all the facilities staff at the Imin Center, who helped make the March 1998 and November 2000 Workshops so successful.

Needless to say, the Pacific Islands Regional Assessment would not have been possible without the support of our sponsoring agencies. This project was made possible through a grant to the East-West Center from the National Science Foundation (NSF Grant OCE-9907547), with contributions from:

· Office of Global Programs, Coastal Services Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA);

· the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and,

· the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI).

I am particularly grateful for the efforts of Thomas Spence and Lawrence Clark, who served as NSF program officers for this project.

Support for the March 1998 Workshop was provided by:

· the Pacific Region Office of Global Programs and National Weather Service, NOAA;

· the Office of the Secretary, and USGS, DOI;

· NASA;

· NSF; and,

· the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

I am grateful for their continuing support of this endeavor.

I must also acknowledge the substantial contributions and support provided by the National Assessment Coordination Office (NACO) in Washington, D.C. In addition to Lynne Carter, who was a valuable participant in the Pacific Assessment as well as a regional liaison for NACO, I would like to thank LaShaunda Malone, Michael MacCracken and Melissa Taylor for their assistance over the duration of this project.

Last, but not least, I wish to thank Chris Anderson for his expertise and patience as editor and desktop publisher of this report.

The Pacific Assessment report represents the combined efforts of each of these individuals and institutions, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with them. The report also represents the beginning of a sustained process of dialogue and information exchange among scientists, businesses, governments and communities in the Pacific Region, and I look forward very much to a continuing collaboration.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Pacific Assessment further, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail at (sheae@eastwestcenter.org); by phone at (808) 944-7253, or by fax at (808) 944-7298.

Sincerely,

Eileen L. Shea
Climate Project Coordinator
East-West Center
September 2001

Pacific Islands Regional Assessment of the Consequences of Climate Variability and Change (Pacific Assessment)

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