Nature, Communities and Climate Resilience in the Pacific
For SPREP’s PEBACC+ programme, I travelled to Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands to document how communities are protecting and restoring the natural environments they depend on.
The assignment combined photography with scripting, filming and editing three country documentaries, alongside shorter videos. From Taveuni’s forests and coastal habitats to community conservation on Tanna and the landscapes of Barana in the Solomon Islands, each location offered a different perspective on the connections between nature, livelihoods and a changing climate.
PEBACC+ supports ecosystem-based adaptation: protecting and restoring natural systems to help communities respond to climate change. My work focused on the people putting this into practice and the places at the centre of their efforts.
Below are the three country films, accompanied by a selection of photographs from each assignment.
On assignment for:
Tanna, Vanuatu
Tanna is one of my favourite places in Vanuatu, and this assignment brought me back to document conservation efforts led by local communities. A particular highlight was being present when the island’s highest chiefs declared a community-managed marine protected area. It was a memorable moment to witness and an important part of the story I came to tell.
Taveuni, Fiji
On Taveuni, the story centres on the connections between healthy ecosystems and community resilience. Through PEBACC+, local efforts include reforestation and agroforestry, helping restore the landscapes that support people’s livelihoods. The film and photographs introduce the people involved and the environments they are working to protect.
Barana, Solomon Islands
At Barana Community Nature and Heritage Park on Guadalcanal, conservation connects the protection of forests with community life and cultural heritage. My photography and film work document this setting and the people involved, introducing PEBACC+ efforts to support ecosystem restoration and resilience in the Solomon Islands.
Planning a photography or film assignment in the Pacific?
