7 February 2019: ‘Enhancing Climate Resilience Through Community Awareness’ was the focus of a summit hosted by the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), with support from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

The Summit discussed activities and approaches to building the resilience of communities in American Samoa and brought together 150 participants from a range of stakeholders including the public sector, school students and general public.

All of this is for the future generation.

Participants highlighted issues relating to food security, disaster preparedness, health, energy and infrastructure.

Highlighting the importance of prevention of, resilience to and recovery from disasters in the Pacific, Kosi Latu, SPREP Director General, called for “building back better” for stronger communities. “A resilient community is likely to be wealthier and healthier, it is likely to be safer, better educated, uses its traditional knowledge effectively and is able to create more opportunities for its young people,” he said. “All of this is for the future generation,” said Va’amua Henry Sesepasara, Director of DMWR, speaking at the opening of the Summit.

Examples of good practices showcased during the Summit include Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings in American Samoa and a discussion of the Lotonu’u Campaign coordinated by the American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG), which aims to inspire stewardship of the relationship between land, the ocean and people of American Samoa. [SPREP Press Release on the Summit] [SPREP Press Release on Lotonu’u Campaign]