ACoM Environment Observatory Expanding

The ACoM Environment Observatory is a community-based environmental monitoring initiative bringing together local knowledge, faith, and science to empower island communities in Solomon Islands to address environmental change. The project was established as a collaboration of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM), The Melanesian Mission UK (MMUK) and UK universities in response to the rapid environmental changes taking place in Solomon Islands in recent years due to climate change.

The first four observatories were established in Fanalei, Walande, Red Beach and Selwyn College in 2019 and 2020. At these observatories, local people monitor temperature, rainfall, shoreline positions, and extreme events to inform natural resource management and encourage environmental stewardship and adaptation to climate change. Over the course of 3 years, the data collected at the test sites was analysed to monitor and improve data quality. Furthermore, volunteers were continuously invited to share valuable feedback on the observatories, including associated benefits and challenges. Following this iterative evaluation process, final recommendations for the future of the environment observatories were developed and shared with ACoM at the beginning of the year.

The recommendations were endorsed by ACoM’s mission office in April 2023 and as a result four new observatories were established at ACoM’s religious orders in 2023: at Veranaaso with the Community of the Sisters of Melanesia, at Tabalia with the Melanesian Brotherhood, on the outskirts of Honiara with the Sisters of the Church, and at Hautambu with the Society of St Francis. These observatories act as training sites, teaching Brothers and Sisters about environmental monitoring, climate change and options for community-based adaptation, thus empowering them to set up new observatories at their households on outer islands and to bring about positive change in remote rural communities, which are most vulnerable to climate change.

In addition, ACoM decided to increase the number of observatories in secondary schools, following the example of the observatory at Selwyn College. Environment observatories in schools play an important role in engaging young people with caring for creation and climate action, while also tea ching them practical skills in environmental monitoring and data analysis.

Thanks to your generous donations, MMUK was able to send equipment for 20 more observatories to Solomon Islands. Two additional stations have already been set up at Paibeta Community High School and at Panueli religious community on Savo. 2024 will see the expansion of the observatories to many more places in Solomon Islands, including already confirmed sites at Bishop Norman Palmer School and St Nicholas School in Honiara and at the SSF household in Temotu.