Beyond Belief

Abstract

Given that almost every Pacific Island resident is spiritually engaged to a degree that is uncommon in western secular societies, an evaluation of the role of religion in climate-change adaptation in this exposed region is overdue. This chapter explains the nature of Pacific Island people’s religious engagement, its undoubted links with culturally-grounded tradition, and its importance in rationalizing extraneous phenomena like climate change and determining communal action in the face of its impacts. Each chapter of this book is summarized. The need to reassess the roles of different agencies in climate-change action in the Pacific is explained, as is the importance of effective action for survival.