Pacific artists are using the power of storytelling to challenge world leaders to turn climate promises into action at COP31 in Türkiye this week.
TheTrouble in Paradise: Climate Change in the Pacific exhibition features 25 photographs selected from more than 300 entries in a climate change photography competition, capturing the impacts of the climate crisis on everyday life.
Among the featured works is Young Women of the Islands by Samoan-New Zealand photographer Faaiuga Vaialia, whose image of six Pacific women holding hands represent solidarity between island communities and the diaspora.
Vaialia believes photography offers something that statistics and political discussions cannot always communicate.
"Photos speak more than words, and they show the livable experiences that people in the Pacific are going through with climate change," she told RNZ Pacific.
"They can see firsthand what the effects of climate change is currently doing, and it has it's not it's not nothing new."
The photograph, taken in Auckland before the Covid-19 pandemic was created to remind Pacific communities that those living overseas are just as committed to the fight for climate justice.
Her work is among the images being presented to global audiences as part of an effort to ensure Pacific voices are heard in global climate discussions.
British Council representative Natasha Beckman (L) and Photographer Faaiuga Vaialia (R)
The exhibition was developed by the British Council New Zealand following a UK government photography competition.
It has since travelled the world, with exhibits in New Zealand, Samoa and Brussels.
British Council representative Natasha Beckman said it had been well received, including by King Charles III.
"Our patron King Charles, when we were in Samoa, asked for us to create a pop-up version of this exhibition for the heads of state banquet dinner that he was hosting. So the fact that people like that, these images in this exhibition resonates is so exciting," she said.
"When we were in Samoa, we were fortunate enough to have the Prime Minister of Samoa speak at the opening, as well as other dignitaries and the then secretary-general of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland, was kind enough to endorse the exhibition and speak on camera.
"And also Lord Collins of Highbury, who is now a deputy leader in the House of Lords, who chose one of his favourite photographs and talked about it in context of the rest of the exhibition."
Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Deputy Leader of House of Lords.
She said the photography could connect with decision-makers on a deeper level.
Beckman noted how the photographs also highlight the injustice faced by Pacific communities who contribute the least to global emissions, but bare the greatest consequences.
"Some of these photographs are really devastating, but they also have a sense of hope as well.
"One of the messages that really resonates, and we want to convey is that the Pacific communities are the lowest emitting communities and the hardest hit."
And as the exhibition reaches COP31, Vaialia hopes her photograph will encourage world leaders to recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and make meaningful commitments to the Pacific.
"Our Pacific islands are paradises. Like they're such beautiful homes, and if we don't face or don't try and resolve the issue of climate change, they won't longer…
