Pacific Islands CASC Science Coordinator Heather Kerkering was part of the Department of the Interior’s delegation to the Our Ocean 2022 Conference in Palau that took place April 13 and 14.

Kerkering shared CASC science through discussions with conference participants to build upon and expand opportunities across climate needs, climate adaptation strategies, and ocean-climate commitments from around the globe, with an emphasis on the work done in the Pacific region. These discussions helped to solidify relationships that will enable PI CASC to work with both established and new project partners within the US and territorial governments.

Hosted by Palau and United States, the seventh Our Ocean conference gathered more than 500 representatives in government, educational institutions, businesses, and non-governmental organizations from around the world to highlight the critical role of indigenous peoples and local communities in tackling climate change and ocean crises. A livestream of the conference can be viewed on the Our Ocean website.

Learn more about the Pacific Island CASC’s partnership efforts, here.