NEWS AND STORIES FROM AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFIC

“After living for nearly 100 years on this planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.” – David Attenborough

The ocean has been receiving growing attention recently, with David Attenborough’s new documentary and the third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC 3) just around the corner.

It is hoped that the conference will result in the Nice Ocean Action Plan, setting out tangible actions to conserve and sustainably use the ocean into the future.

​“Science has shown us that there is no time for self-doubt. Today you are going to learn to harness your individual strength, as it will take all of us to find the solutions we need.” – Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Fiji

In the Pacific, the climate crisis is not a distant threat—it’s a daily reality. Rising sea levels, widespread coral bleaching, and extreme weather events like Tropical Cyclones Rae and Seru in early 2025 are just a few examples. Yet, despite these challenges, the Pacific region continues to lead the world in climate action, resilience, and youth-driven advocacy.​

Climate activism requires ingenuity, creativity, persistence, resilience — and a degree of bravery. Last month, we were fortunate to meet and welcome one such individual into the Climate Reality Leadership network. AnneMary Raduva is a student, climate advocate, writer, and founder of the Young Eco-Champs Fiji and Stop Releasing Balloons campaigns.

​We recently had the opportunity to speak with her to find out more about her incredible initiatives and experiences, what inspires her and the challenges she has encountered. Please read on for more. 

​On your journey through the climate movement, you are bound to encounter people who inspire and challenge you in unexpected ways. Some bring fresh perspectives that help reframe old problems, while others motivate bold action. Climate Reality Leader Shruthi Vijaykumar is one of those people.

​An experienced coach, facilitator, and educator, Shruthi creates spaces where meaningful learning and collaboration can thrive. She’s committed to systems change, encouraging a shift from extractive ways of thinking to regenerative, nature-centred solutions. 

We recently had the opportunity to chat to HY William Chan, Sydney’s youngest-ever elected city councillor with the Lord Mayor’s government chairing environment and climate change, transport, heritage and planning. He is also Head of Delegation to the UN Conference of the Parties, Co-Founder of Climate Action Week Sydney, and a dedicated Climate Reality Leader.

As a forward-thinking urbanist and futurist, William brings his expertise in architecture and urban planning to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time—social inclusion and climate resilience within urban environments. 

In business, sustainability is increasingly recognised as a key factor for long-term success. Companies that incorporate sustainable practices into their core strategies not only contribute to a systemic transition toward true net zero emissions, but also unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. However, the process of embedding sustainability into business operations can be complex and requires a strategic approach.​

​We recently spoke with Climate Reality Leader Lee Stewart, who shared insights from his upcoming book and his extensive experience in the field. 

By Katherine Howell

The health of our planet and humanity relies on the biodiversity within our oceans and surrounding landscapes. Yet, we face mounting challenges from climate change, pollution, habitat loss, degradation, and resource depletion, making it imperative to confront these pressing issues and to shed light on the urgency of the situation.

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​As the dust settles on the close of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28), we reflect on how the annual two-week meeting progressed climate ambition for diverse communities in the Australia & Pacific region, but also fell short of climate action we urgently need now. We also highlight the voices of trained Climate Reality Leaders to explore how we can increase COP effectiveness, transparency, and capacity to translate international climate agreements into tangible results that protect people and the planet in this region.​