RNZ Pacific is reporting on the growing concern of climate change in the Pacific, specifically regarding the bleaching of coral reefs in Palau. Palau’s government has proposed drastic measures to address this issue, including the use of nuclear energy.

**Climate Change and Coral Bleaching**

Palau International Coral Reef Center researcher Christina Muller-Karanasos said surveying of corals in Palau was underway after multiple reports of bleaching. She stated that the main cause of coral bleaching is climate change.

“It’s upsetting. There were areas where there were quite a lot of bleaching,” she said. “The most beautiful and pristine reef and amount of fish and species of fish that I’ve ever seen. It’s so important for the health of the reef. The healthy reef also supports healthy fish populations, and that’s really important for Palau.”

**Trump’s Impact on Climate Change**

University of Hawaii Manoa’s Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka suspects Trump will focus on the Pacific, but for geopolitical gains.

“He said, and I quote, ‘that it is one of the great scams of all time’. And so he is a climate crisis denier,” Kabutaulaka believed Trump has made his position clear on the climate front. “We need the United States, we need China, and we need India and Russia, to be the leaders to make sure that we put things on track.”

**Palau’s Response**

The Palau government is taking drastic measures to address this issue. University of Hawaii Manoa’s Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka stated that it would be about the militarisation of the climate change issue that you are using climate change to build relationships so that you can ensure you do the counter China issue as well.

Palau International Coral Reef Center researcher Christina Muller-Karanasos stated, “We’ve got to look at alternatives, and one of those is nuclear energy. It’s clean, it’s carbon free.”

**Conclusion**

The climate crisis in the Pacific is a growing concern, with coral bleaching being a major issue. Palau has proposed drastic measures to address this issue, including the use of nuclear energy. The impact of Trump’s views on climate change will likely be felt in the region.

Palau International Coral Reef Center researcher Christina Muller-Karanasos said surveying of corals in Palau was underway after multiple reports of bleaching. She stated that the main cause of coral bleaching is climate change.

“We need the United States, we need China, and we need India and Russia, to be the leaders to make sure that we put things on track,” Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka believed Trump has made his position clear on the climate front.

Dr. Muller-Karanasos said “It’s upsetting. There were areas where there were quite a lot of bleaching.”