disaster
Cook Islands: State of the Climate in South-West Pacific 2025
By World Meteorological Organization at ReliefWeb
· July 7, 2026
· 7 min read
Countries: Cook Islands, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, World . Ocean warming, marine heatwaves and sea-level rise pose increasing risk in South-West Pacific region SINGAPORE/GENEVA, 7 July 2026 (WMO) – The vast ocean expanse in the Sout
Key takeaway In 2025, the region experienced warming oceans, rising sea levels, marine heatwaves and ocean acidification, alongside tropical cyclones and the continued loss of tropical glacier ice,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
Why this matters
The World Meteorological Organization's report on the State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2025 highlights the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable island nations and coastal communities. The region's increasing ocean temperatures, marine heatwaves, and sea-level rise pose significant threats to local economies and ecosystems. The loss of tropical glacier ice in Papua, Indonesia, and the predicted disappearance of the last remaining tropical glacier by 2027, underscore the urgent need for climate-resilient development and disaster risk reduction strategies. For Christian charities and faith-based organizations involved in humanitarian relief and disaster response, this report emphasizes the importance of investing in early warning systems, climate-smart infrastructure, and community-based adaptation initiatives. As the region's climate continues to warm, the role of these organizations in supporting vulnerable communities and promoting sustainable development will become increasingly critical. Effective coordination and capacity building will be essential to saving lives and reducing economic damage.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: Cook Islands, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, World . Ocean warming, marine heatwaves and sea-level rise pose increasing risk in South-West Pacific region SINGAPORE/GENEVA, 7 July 2026 (WMO) – The vast ocean expanse in the Sout
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by World Meteorological Organization at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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