As the University of Guam convenes this week for its 15th Conference on Island Sustainability, community leaders reflect on its theme, “Sustainability Endures,” and its history of bridging partnerships for crucial local and regional initiatives.
As island communities confront existential threats brought by climate change and environmental and resource challenges, there are also opportunities for finding solutions through collaborative programs such as the Green Growth Initiative, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez said.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who co-chairs the conference with Borja Enriquez, also acknowledged these partnerships.
“It is very crucial that we all come together as we have in the last 15 years to really work at how to protect our environment, how do we address the challenge of climate change through this kind of networking, through this kind of collaborative effort,” the governor said.
Leaders from government, business, and the academe acknowledged the UOG Center for Island Sustainability for starting conversations on sustainability at the community level through the annual event.
“This momentum that we have been building together with our partners is really taking off, and it is not just staying here on Guam, we now have partners following this model, and we are working together to spread the Green Growth initiative across the Pacific,” said UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, PhD.
From April 8 to 13, the conference features presentations and sessions focusing on the theme, “Sustainability Endures.”
Key topics at the conference include climate change adaptation, renewable energy solutions, waste management strategies, and community resilience.
The official start of the 15th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability happens with Community Night at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hyatt Regency Guam.
The Community Night will feature live music from Malak Mo’na, food, student research poster presentations, and a chance to win a brand-new electric scooter.
The event is open to the public.
National climate report
Several government agencies, educational institutions, and environmental organizations came together at Hyatt Regency Guam on Tuesday as part of a workshop to discuss the contents of the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
The Fifth National Climate Assessment is the U.S. government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses that provides the scientific foundation to support informed decision-making across the United States.
The purpose of the workshop, which was held by the Pacific Islands-Climate Adaptation Science Center, was to address any information gaps for future iterations of the report.
“Our actions must emphasize collaboration, center equity and justice, and incorporate a wide range of values and knowledge systems because the evidence has shown us that climate solutions can be solutions to injustice,” said Dr. Chris Avery, the chief of staff of the National Climate Assessment.
Science and Technology Committee
Members of the Guam Science and Technology Committee met at Hyatt Regency Guam on April 9 to discuss the status of the Science and Technology plan.
The S/T Committee, which was organized by Guam NSF EPSCoR, is tasked with developing and executing the island’s Science and Technology Plan, which focuses on areas such as carbon offset, aquaculture, renewable energy, and others.
During this meeting, the committee members discussed the need for developing indexes to measure the success of their efforts in producing a capable workforce and bolstering knowledge economies.
