Qingdao hosts climate action event, calling for urgent efforts

Experts and scholars from around the world called for urgent efforts to accelerate climate action and explore solutions to help Pacific island countries better cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development during an international academic event over the weekend.

"The Pacific island countries are among the most vulnerable in the world and are on the front lines in the battle against climate change," said Li Jianping, director of the Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality at the Ocean University of China (OUC), during the 2024 International Forum on Pacific Island Countries Response to Climate Change in Qingdao, Shandong province.

He noted that the Pacific island countries are located at the center of the highest sea level rise historically, currently, and projected into the future, and warned that more islands will disappear.

The two-day forum, which concluded on Sunday, was hosted by the Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality at the OUC. It attracted over 100 experts, scholars, and students from 10 countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Fiji. The participants focused on topics such as climate change impacts, sea level rise, ocean governance, and sustainable development.

Bibhya Sharma, a professor at the University of the South Pacific, mentioned that the university has established the Center for Pacific Sustainability Futures, which aims to accelerate climate change mitigation and enhance resilience and adaptation to its impacts.

Lin Bin, deputy secretary-general of the Communist Party of China Qingdao committee, highlighted Qingdao's growing sub-national relations with Pacific island countries, noting significant achievements in high-level visits, sister-city interactions, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges.

Liu Yong, vice president of the OUC, emphasized the university's commitment to high-level open education and collaboration with global partners to jointly address climate change.

Founded in 1924 and located in Qingdao, the OUC is a comprehensive research institution with a distinctive focus on marine and fisheries sciences. The university will celebrate its centenary in October this year.