Abstract
This chapter explores the climate change vulnerabilities confronting the Indigenous populations of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the ways in which they engage in climate activism as a response to these challenges. Despite minimal contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions, these communities bear the brunt of climate change effects, including sea-level rise, increased cyclone activity, and threats to food and water security. This chapter illuminates the increasing influence of Pacific voices on global decision-making platforms at the Conference of the Parties (COP) summits, focusing on the effects of Pacific regionalism and the role of young activists in shaping COP outcomes. These activists employ unique strategies often divergent from Western norms. Analysis of in-depth interviews with 44 participants across 15 PICTs reveals that climate activism is deeply entwined with fa’asinomaga, a shared sense of identity and heritage across Pacific Island cultures. The narrative portrays the fight against climate change as more than a struggle against land loss; it becomes a battle for the protection of indelible cultural identities that risk displacement alongside their bearers. This work elucidates the vital connection between climate activism and fa’asinomaga, demonstrating the unique socio-political dynamics at play in Pacific Islanders’ fight for climate justice.