Glossary

An independent sovereign island nation and a United States associated state consisting of four states.

When one variable in a system triggers changes in a second variable that in turn ultimately affects the original variable; a positive feedback intensifies the effect, and a negative feedback reduces the effect.

An international, multi-disciplined team that supports the ability of national organisations to operate in cases of disaster and promotes the coordination of aid from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The system is designed to form and deploy teams of highly trained response practitioners to a disaster site within 12 to 24 hours.

Based in Nadi, Fiji, FMS is responsible for one of six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres within the World Weather Watch Programme of the World Meteorological Organization.

A premier medical tertiary institution in the South Pacific based in Suva, Fiji. It provides training and education for future health professionals in the South Pacific.

Developed country Parties (Annex II Parties) are required to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties implement the Convention. To facilitate this, the Convention established a financial mechanism to provide funds to developing country Parties. The Parties to the Convention assigned operation of the financial mechanism to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on an on-going basis, subject to review every four years. The financial mechanism is accountable to the COP.

Burning of all or part of the natural or built environment as a result of natural or human activity.

The occupation or industry of catching or rearing fish; may also include processing and selling fish.

The overflowing of water beyond its normal confines, or the accumulation of water by drainage over areas that are not normally submerged.

A UN agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger, achieve food security and ensure people have regular access to enough high quality food. Its goals are: the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty; and, sustainable management of natural resources.

A situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Forestry is the management and care of woods

A regional secretariat for a network of 10 independent community-based organisations working in the Pacific to foster self-reliance and sustainable community development. It designs, coordinates, supports and monitors the implementation of regional networks and projects.

The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released in 2007.

Greenhouse-gas emissions as by-products or waste or loss in the process of fuel production, storage, or transport, such as methane given off during oil and gas drilling and refining, or leakage of natural gas from pipelines.