Centre for Sustainable Futures-USP

The Centre for Sustainable Futures was delighted to welcome a group of students from the Office of Sustainability at Wooster College in Ohio, USA, as part of their three-week learning excursion across the Pacific.

Their visit provided an opportunity to explore the realities of climate change in the region and gain a deeper understanding of the sustainable initiatives being implemented to build resilience and support communities facing its impacts. During their time at the Centre, the students were introduced to our work, learning how we contribute to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time at both the regional and global levels.

With a particular focus on the intersection of climate change and religion, the students are exploring how faith, culture, and community shape responses to climate-related challenges. As part of their journey, they will also visit Tuvalu to learn firsthand how communities are adapting and responding to the impacts of climate change.

Using Fiji and Tuvalu as their case study countries, the students are eager to learn from local experiences, engage with communities, and deepen their understanding before returning home to share their insights.

The urgent need to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge, community experience and international climate finance has prompted calls for greater investment in locally led adaptation solutions across the Pacific, according to The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Associate Professor Dr Awnesh Singh.

To read more, click on the link below ⬇️⬇️⬇️:

USP scientist amplifies Pacific voice on sea level rise at United Nations Forum - The University of the South Pacific The urgent need to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge, community experience and international climate...

In celebration of World Oceans Day, the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme officially launched its new Pacific Islands Ocean Education Initiative Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), providing exciting opportunities to learn more about the unique marine ecosystems and species of the Pacific.

Funded by the European Union in the Pacific and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the MOOCs will feature two engaging learning streams:
Coconut Crabs of the Pacific
Understanding Sea Urchins: From Ocean to Economy

The Centre for Sustainable Futures (CSF) was also delighted to welcome students from The College of Wooster, Ohio, USA, who joined the World Oceans Day celebrations during their visit to USP's Marine Campus to learn more about climate change, marine conservation, and sustainable ocean management in the Pacific.

During the reflections from staff and students who attended the celebration, we are reminded that healthy oceans are essential for our communities, livelihoods, cultures, and future generations. Through education, collaboration, and stewardship, we can all play a part in safeguarding the Pacific Ocean for years to come.

To conclude the day's activities, students and staff came together for a beachfront clean-up, collecting rubbish and demonstrating the importance of collective action in protecting our oceans and coastal environments.

Interested in expanding your knowledge of Pacific marine life and ocean conservation? Enrol in the free MOOCs and begin your learning journey today by following the link below:

https://openpasifika.usp.ac.fj

On 8 June, we join communities around the world in celebrating World Oceans Day and recognising the vital role our oceans play in sustaining life, livelihoods, and cultures.

The ocean provides us with food, regulates our climate, supports biodiversity, and connects our island communities. Yet it faces increasing threats from pollution, climate change, and unsustainable practices. Every action—big or small, can help keep our oceans healthy, resilient, and thriving.

If you don't have plans for the day, come on down and join us! Whether you're passionate about marine conservation, curious to learn more, or simply want to be part of the celebration, everyone is welcome.

💙 Protect our ocean. Protect our future.

Experts, policymakers, academics, security practitioners, legal professionals and community representatives gathered in Suva this week for a timely discussion on the growing security implications of climate change for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Opening the conference, H.E. Dr. Andreas Prothmann, German Ambassador to Fiji, underscored that climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue but a critical security challenge affecting nations worldwide. He highlighted how rising sea levels, intensified storms, floods, droughts, food insecurity and displacement are increasingly threatening security, freedom and prosperity — key pillars of global stability.

Emphasising the importance of the climate-security nexus, His Excellency called for stronger collaboration across disciplines, bringing together diplomats, security experts, climate scientists, humanitarian actors and policymakers to move from analysis to action. He also reaffirmed Germany's commitment to working alongside Fiji and Pacific Island countries to strengthen climate resilience, support adaptation efforts and advance climate security initiatives at regional and global levels.

Hosted by The University of the South Pacific and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), the conference seeks to foster dialogue, share knowledge and generate policy recommendations to help Small Island States address climate-related security risks and build a more resilient future.

Today, staff at the Centre for Sustainable Futures came together for a Staff Awareness Session focused on strengthening communication, collaboration, and connection across the Centre.

The session provided an opportunity for staff to hear updates on the various activities and initiatives currently being carried out, while also learning more about the important work being led across different thematic areas. Staff had the chance to engage directly with thematic leaders, ask questions, gain clarity on their roles, and better understand how their individual contributions fit into the broader vision and direction of the Centre.

The session also gave the Director an opportunity to share his plans and priorities for the coming months as the Centre continues to grow its impact across the Pacific.

Moments like these highlight the importance of teamwork, open dialogue, and working together towards a more sustainable future for our region. 🌿

Join us next week as we witness Ms. Lucille Overhoff defend her PhD thesis, looking at how small island communities are navigating the growing impacts of climate change, environmental pressures, and extreme weather events. Drawing from case studies in Pohnpei and Yap State, the research highlights an important message — neither traditional knowledge nor modern science alone is enough to address today’s climate challenges.

Thesis Title: The role of engin kehlap, a Heuristic Model for Climate Change and Environment Adaptation: Case studies from the Federated States of Micronesia

Details:
🗓 Monday May 25, 2026
🕘 10am (Fiji Time)
📍 Online
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/5y96map6

Refer to poster below for more details.
Do join us!!

In our upcoming CSF Seminar Series, Dr. Francesc Piferrer will be hosting and he'll be speaking on ”Epigenetic Footprints of Global Change in Marine Species"

Details:
🗓 Tuesday 26 May, 2026
🕘 11.00am-12.00pm (Fiji Time)
📍 Marine Lecture Theatre, USP Marine Campus

For those wishing to join online:
🔗https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81943391915
Pass: 670193

Refer to poster below for more details.

Do join us!!

NB: Light refreshments will be provided

Applications for Semester 2, 2026, are now open!

Thinking about studying climate change, marine science, environmental studies, or ocean studies?

Our friendly team is here to help guide you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have about your study options.

For our Postgraduate Programmes:
E: [email protected]
Ph: +679 32 32180

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E: [email protected]
Ph: +679 32 31097

Applications for Semester 2, 2026, are now open! Explore internationally accredited programmes and take the next step toward shaping your future with USP.

New students or those last registered in a course at USP over 3 years ago, can apply online at: www.usp.ac.fj/apply

Former students returning within 3 years can resume their studies easily via: www.usp.ac.fj/resume

To view detailed programme information, visit: www.usp.ac.fj/programmes

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