Connecting the Nexus: Climate, Food Systems, Diets, Wellbeing and Non-Communicable Diseases in Pacific and Indigenous Communities

We need to talk about the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on NCD risks in the Pacific. The region carries among the highest burdens of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the world while being acutely exposed to climate change, yet the two problems are still studied, governed and financed in separate streams. Actions are focusing on climate change and food systems only but the connection to shifting diets, lifestyles and NCDs is not covered in policies, financing mechanisms locally and globally. Our Event discusses the evidence and gaps of the nexus of how climate change reshapes Indigenous Peoples food systems, shifting diets, their knowledge systems and lifestyles, and how those changes raise NCD risk, in order to make the case for integrated, Pacific-centred responses. How can we increase understanding of the Climate-Food systems-Diets-Wellbeing-Health (NCDs) nexus to promote integrated actional solutions to fight for our islands and people.