News about environment work and issues in Tonga by the Department of Environment, including regional and world environment news relevant to Tonga
Nuku’alofa – January 16, 2020: 3.40pm (Enviro News): Tongans have been advised to prepare for a cyclone that is likely to be a Cat 2 when it hits the country and possibly a Cat 3. The Director of the Tonga Meteorological Services or Tonga MET, Mr Ofa Fa’anunu has confirmed this in his public messages Read More …
This year, crucial international summits take place that must advance action to protect the planet By Fermín Koop “Our house is on fire,” Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said at the beginning of 2019, her statement resonating throughout the year as global temperatures hit record highs, the number of endangered species rose, extreme weather events became more frequent, Read More …
Nuku’alofa – January 10, 2020: 12.35pm (Enviro News): The management and staff of the Environment Department here in Nuku’alofa met this morning to thank God for the week of work and elect new officials for their Staff and Social Club. Acting Director Mr Sione Tukia Lepa led the opening service of 2020 and the subsequent Read More …
Nuku’alofa – January 10, 2020: 12.15pm (Enviro News): The addition of a new project and the focus on Healthy Oceans for 2020 makes the work of the Islands and Ocean Division here at the Environment Department a critical one. Invasive Species, with its Phase 2 for Tonga, is an addition to the Division’s program this Read More …
Nuku’alofa – January 6, 2020: 10.30am (Enviro News): The Department of Environment office here in Nuku’alofa opened for work this morning. This marked the opening of the 2020 work season. Government offices around the Kingdom also resumed work this morning, with Environment and the Ministry of MEIDECC also opening all its offices around the country. Read More …
Nuku’alofa – December 11, 2019: 10am (Enviro News): Tonga was able to report on its Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity at meetings held in Canada during the last week of November. Director Environment Mrs Atelaite Lupe Matoto and the Principal Biodiversity Officer Mrs Ta’hirih Fifita Hokafonu attended the meetings. Tonga participated from Read More …
Port Moresby, PNG – December 10, 2019: 2.45pm (WWF): Bycatch in tuna longline fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) is one of the greatest threats to seabirds, particularly albatrosses and petrels. Despite the implementation of conservation measures for seabirds since 2006, it is estimated that between 13,000 to 19,000 seabirds continue to Read More …
By ILIESA TORA (National Communication/Information Officer) Nuku’alofa – December 10, 2019: 2pm (Enviro News): There were many take-aways I gathered from my recent two weeks media tour of Japan in late October. But one that I believe is most appropriate for us here in Tonga is the statement made by some local Japanese officials during Read More …
This story by Monica Evans originally appeared on Mongabay. It is republished here with permission. The traditional Māori concept of ra’ui – an ancient Polynesian form of resource management – is helping rejuvenate areas in the Cook Islands On March 1, 2000, traditional Māori elders gathered with family, community members and government officials on the white-sand shore of Aro’a Lagoon Read More …
NAIROBI, Kenya – November 4, 2019: 5pm (UN NEWS CENTRE) Each year, an estimated eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean – equivalent to a full garbage truck dumped into the sea every minute – the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Monday. Between 60 to 90 per cent of the Read More …