News about environment work and issues in Tonga by the Department of Environment, including regional and world environment news relevant to Tonga
Nuku’alofa – September 10, 2020: 9.10am (Enviro News): Damage caused by Cyclone Harold along the Ha’atafu beachfront are still visible. Although nature has slowly started to regrow there is alot that still needs to be done. The beachfront is a possible ‘beachfront monitoring site’ that is being looked at by the Department of Environment and Read More …
Nuku’alofa – September 9, 2020: 10.05am (Enviro News): Daily threats, both natural and man made, continue to drastically affect the coastline between the villages of Navutoka and Makaunga on the East of Tongatapu. Rising sea level, natural hazards such as cyclones and storm surges plus the man-made threat of trashing by those who use the Read More …
Nuku’alofa – September 7, 2020: 1.35pm (Enviro News): The whales have been taking to Tonga’s seas over the last month, entertaining all those who have been out to take a glimpse at them. Members of the Marine Team here at the Environment Department have been out on a few trips to monitor what is happening Read More …
Nuku’alofa – August 17, 2020: 3.20pm (Matangi Tonga): Tonga is looking at phasing out single-use plastics such as shopping bags, cutlery, straws and more starting next year, confirmed Director of Environment, Atelaite Lupe Matoto on Friday, August 14. Mrs Matoto told a regional conference at the Fa’onelua Centre this morning that in September last year, Cabinet Read More …
London, ENGLAND – August 6, 2020: 2,45pm (COMSEC): Mangroves are disappearing at an alarming rate, with conservationists across the Commonwealth striving to save them from local extinction. These nearshore forests that straddle land and sea provide a range of vital services to both humans and fish, such as coastal protection. In a recent webinar organised Read More …
Nuku’alofa – August 4, 2020: 11am (Enviro News): The Tonga Ocean Plan has made the rounds around the Kingdom over the past three months, with a resounding ‘all for it’ given by members of the public. Following community consultations in Vava’u, Ha’apai, Niuafo’ou, Niuatoputapu and Tongatapu, the Plan is being given the approval it needs. Read More …
By Courtney Farthing New York – USA – July 21, 2020 (GLOBAL FISHING WATCH): The world is at a standstill. Over the last few months, COVID-19 has challenged health systems, crippled economies, and put our most vulnerable at risk. The pandemic has impacted almost every community worldwide, leaving us uncertain about what the future holds. Read More …
Nuku’alofa – July 17, 2020: 1,35pm (PEJN): Tonga has been hard at work in ensuring that the environment is clean and healthy over the past two years. It has been a government effort as the threat of climate change is realized across the Kingdom and the Pasifika. Joining hands in taking the lead role are Read More …
Nuku’alofa – July 16, 2020: 1.30pm (Tourism Tonga): A total of 14 locals have been awarded with the Certified Restricted Skipper Master Class 5 certificates in whale watching, as part of a training organised by the Ministry of Tourism here in Nuku’alofa. The 14 were awarded at a certificate presentation ceremony held at Lata’anga, on Read More …
Nuku’alofa – June 14, 2020: 11.15am (Enviro News): The first community consultation meet on the draft Tonga Ocean Plan for Tongatapu was held at Kolonga village last night. The draft was taken to members of the Niutoua, Afa and Kolonga communities by the members of the Marine Spatial Planning team, working with the Tonga Ocean Read More …