Island communities are identified among the jurisdictions considered most vulnerable to climate variability and change, for example:

· Changes in rainfall associated with the ENSO cycle put added pressure on already stressed water resources; · Changes in sea level threaten low-lying community infrastructure, coastal agriculture and unique natural ecosystems; · Economic development is dependent on climate-sensitive sectors (e.g., agriculture, tourism, fisheries) and the resources that support them (e.g., coral reefs); · Pacific Islands are home to valuable and unique ecosystems and a number of threatened and endangered species many of which are climate-sensitive; and · Climate-related extreme events, such as droughts, floods and tropical cyclones can have devastating immediate effects and recovery from these events can consume significant percentage of an island’s GDP.

Pacific Island communities are already addressing significant challenges presented by natural variability in the climate system, most notably the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle and this experience is helping build resilience for the future.

The author will explore some of the insights emerging from this Pacific Island experience drawn from ongoing work including: an initial assessment of the consequences of climate variability and change for Pacific Islands; the use of ENSO-based climate forecasts to support decision-making in Pacific Island communities served by the Pacific ENSO Applications Center; and the newly-established Pacific Islands Regional Integrated Assessment (Pacific RISA) program. The paper will focus primarily on issues related to providing access to freshwater resources and conserving marine and coastal resources. In this context, the author will:

· Review the nature of Pacific Island vulnerability to climate variability and change as described from recent climate assessment work in the region; · Summarize some of the recommendations for enhancing resilience that have emerged from experience with natural variability and dialogue with stakeholders in key sectors; · Highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with mainstreaming climate adaptation in Pacific Islands; and · Explore the role of climate information systems in supporting economic development and community planning in Pacific Island coastal communities.

In this latter category, particular attention will be paid to insights emerging from an ongoing review of the first decade of operations of the Pacific ENSO Applications Center and the implications of those findings for the emergence of effective climate services nationally and internationally.