A Pacific Island researcher collects ocean samples from a coral reef to monitor changes in seawater chemistry — a scene from “Changing Waters: Time for Action on Ocean Acidification.” Image courtesy of the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance).
Pacific Island regional scientists and policy makers are featured in the upcoming short film, “Changing Waters: Time for Action on Ocean Acidification,” highlighting regional leadership on climate-ocean science and solutions.
Pacific Island nations are taking centre stage at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Meeting COP30 with the premiere of “Changing Waters: Time for Action on Ocean Acidification,” a short film that showcases how Fiji and the broader Pacific Island region are leading global efforts to address one of climate change’s invisible threats.
The short film “Changing Waters: Time for Action on Ocean Acidification,” produced by the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance) and LUMA Studio, will premiere at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion on November 17 at 5 pm, with a virtual screening available through the Virtual Ocean Pavilion on November 19 at 12 pm (Belém time).
Ocean acidification – caused by the ocean absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – may affect Pacific coral reefs, shellfish, fisheries, and the livelihoods of those who depend on healthy ocean ecosystems for food security, storm protection, and income.
Yet, as the film reveals, Pacific Island communities are not just witnessing these changes; they are pioneering solutions that combine local science with local practice.
Filmed in Fiji, Colombia, and Washington State, “Changing Waters: A Time for Action on Ocean Acidification” uses personal storytelling and on-the-ground projects to highlight ocean acidification science and policy leadership around the world.
The Fiji segment showcases how island nations are advancing local monitoring, ecosystem restoration, and policy advocacy — demonstrating how applied ocean acidification science can be integrated across broader climate policy.
“We in the Pacific contribute very little to carbon emissions, yet we are at the forefront of the impacts of climate change. Monitoring and research allow us to make informed decisions, now and for generations to come,” said Katy Soapi, Coordinator of Partnership and Engagement at the Pacific Community.
From traditional ecological knowledge to ocean monitoring networks, Pacific Island nations have become a model for integrating local expertise with scientific research and domestic policies.
Ocean acidification is a consequence of carbon emissions, and addressing it is central to global climate action, marine governance, and equity. Yet many regions around the world still lack scientific, policy, and financing support in responding to acidification at the local level.
FEATURING
- Katy Soapi – Coordinator of Partnership and Engagement, Pacific Community
- Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini – Permanent Representative to the UN, Fiji Government
HOW TO WATCH
- In-person premiere: Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, November 17 at 5 pm – Belém time
- Virtual premiere: Virtual Ocean Pavilion, November 19 at 12 pm – Belém time
Register: CLICK HERE
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Juliana Corrales, Samoa News Hub, 12 November 2025. Article.
