Introduction

Abstract

In this introduction Pacific and global concerns around climate change and its impacts are outlined. The need for a deeper understanding of the interrelatedness of local expertise, customary knowledge and practice, and traditional adaptive responses is emphasized with a focus on sea-level rise and flooding. Chapter 1 demonstrates why it is necessary to have a pair of books, one looking specifically at the island Pacific and the other on Aotearoa New Zealand, in order to demonstrate that there are important lessons to be learned from Pacific Islanders. These lessons on how it may be possible to adapt, using traditional ecological knowledge, to the impacts of climate change apply not only to Aotearoa New Zealand but also to the wider world.