Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a new cooperation package of not less than $450 million to the forum island countries, or FICs, over the next three years. Abe made the commitment at the Seventh Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, or PALM 7, that was held in Iwaki City, Fukushima, on May 22-23, US News reported.

Forum island countries are the Pacific island countries that are members of Pacific Island Forum, the top regional political body.These countries include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Japan’s new commitment comes after it fulfilled its pledge of providing more than $500 million over the last three years to the FICs.

“As a pledge of the Japanese Government, we will provide no less than 55 billion yen to you in the upcoming three years until the year we hold PALM 8 in order to foster resilient capabilities that will not be defeated by climate change,” said Abe in his keynote speech during the opening session of the PALM 7. The aid will build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in France in December.

According to the Climate Institute website, the Pacific island states are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Although it contributes less to greenhouses emission compared to the developed nations, the small island -are already feeling the impact of climate change.

The Pacific island nations are already suffering from extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tsunami, droughts, heavy rainfall and soil erosion. Small nations are also going to be adversely affected by the sea level rise, higher temperatures acidification of the ocean.

Pacific island-nations want the developed nations like Australia, United States and China to take into account their needs such as experts in climate change adaptation and mitigation and sustainable development. The aid from Japan is expected to raise the developed nations influence in the Pacific Australia which is trying to increase its hold on the Pacific appears to be falling behind when it comes to climate change action.

Australia has been criticised in its move to remove carbon tax in Australia. Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum, earlier said in an article in SMH.COM.AU: "Not only [is Australia] our big brother down south, Australia is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and Australia is a Pacific island, a big island, but a Pacific island. It must recognize that it has a responsibility.

"The problems that have befallen the smaller countries are also Australia's problems. You cannot remove Australia from the life and blood of the Pacific."

Pacific island-states are also heavily dependent on fossil fuels for energy production because of reliance to imports and the lack of access to renewable energy. Developed countries like Japan, European Union and US are helping these small islands cope with the current and future consequences of climate change. .

One big project in several Pacific island nations is the installation of solar panels. Solar energy has the potential to be used more widely in the Pacific since the hot weather is proving to be an effective source of efficient, clean and accessible energy.

Titanium dioxide has photo catalytic properties, which are quite effective in solar panel applications. Since investments in titanium dioxide is growing, clean energy investments can benefit from mining companies such as White Mountain Titanium Corporation (OTCQB:WMTM). White Mountain Titanium is located in the Atacama Region of Santiago, Chile. Its goal is to become one of the important players in the titanium dioxide market by aiming to be one of Chile’s leading titanium dioxide sources.

To contact the writer, email: vittoriohernandez@yahoo.com

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