Heritage and Climate Change in Micronesia: A Report on a Pilot Study Conducted on Moch Island, Morlock Islands, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
Jeffery W, Henry R, Pam C. 2008. Heritage and Climate Change in Micronesia: A Report on a Pilot Study Conducted on Moch Island, Morlock Islands, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Chuuk State Historic Preservation Office, Federated States of Micronesia
Executive Summary: "This study was conducted in order to establish research processes and protocols for the investigation of the impact of climate variability and change on cultural heritage in the coral atoll islands of Micronesia. The study was undertaken with the support of a small grant from the School of Arts and Social Sciences, James Cook University, Australia, and in-kind support from the Historic Preservation Office, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. The research team spent four days on Moch Island in the Mortlocks, conducting formal interviews and participating in informal discussions with people about their experiences of climatic events and the changes they had observed on the island in relation to such events. The geographical location and stories associated with the culturally important places identified by people as being affected by climatic events were recorded and a preliminary map was produced. The mapping exercise revealed Moch to be a cultural web of places constituting a land/seascape steeped in heritage significance. Analysis of interviews with key research participants demonstrated that people are deeply concerned about the potential loss of their home islands, significant places, and place-based knowledge due to climate change. The research team was urged to return to Moch to document, record and safely store cultural knowledge for the sake of future generations. It was concluded that there was a need for a longer term study on Moch. In addition, comparative studies on heritage values in other parts of the State, which are more immediately affected by sea-level rise, are recommended as urgently required." Project funding was provided by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to Chuuk State Historic Preservation Office, Federated States of Micronesia, administered by the Interior Regions 8, 9, 10, and 12, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Jeffery, William; Henry, Rosita; Pam, Christine
- Date of Issue
- 2008-01
- Publisher
- Chuuk State Historic Preservation Office, Federated States of Micronesia
- Units
- HPF