Pohnpei


 * media type="facebooklike" key="http%3A%2F%2Fpcep.wikispaces.com%2FPohnpei" width="270" height="48" align="right"Kaselehlie**, Welcome to the Pohnpei Community Page

//Experted from "Micronesian Legends" by Bo Flood, Beret E. Strong, & William Flood// A canoe came from beyond the horizon in search of the "Eaves of Heaven." Sapikini, a master canoe builder from the southern land of Eir, slipped away from home with seven men and nine women.
 * Creation Myth**

The people on his cane asked the wind to help them on their journey. they sailed until they met the octopus Litakika, who told them to follow the swells until they came to a submerged reef so long it began where the sun touched the sea at dawn and ended where it disappeared at dusk. The people called upon the gods to help them build a stone alter on this holy reef...

The people who sailed from far beyond the horizon finished their work. They stood together and watched as th eland beneath the alter spread and rose up to form an island with mountains and swamps. to honor the divinely blessed island, they named it Pohnpei, which means "upon a stone altar."

= About Nan Madol = Read more about Nan Madol at: @http://www.janeresture.com/micronesia_madol/ //Nan Madol: The City Built on Coral Reefs// by the Smithsonian (11/03/09): @http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Nan-Madol-The-City-Built-on-Coral-Reefs.html Map of Nan Madol:

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=Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia= **Languages**: Pohnpeian, English **Greetings**: Kaselehlie / Kaselehlia (formal)(informal)
 * Capital**: Kolonia
 * Population**: 34,486 (2000)
 * Land Area**: 345 sq km (133.2 sq mi)

**Kaselehlie Press** (national newspaper): []

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=Environment= =Climate & Climate Impacts in FSM= FSM has two seasons -- a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. The region sees very little seasonal variation in temperature, with only a 3 degree Fahrenheit difference between the average hottest and coolest months. The climate in FSM depends on three phenomena: the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the West Pacific Monsoon, and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
 * Conservation Society of Pohnpei: @http://www.serehd.org/
 * Land Grant, College of Micronesia: @http://www.comfsm.fm/vpcre/
 * Integrated Water Resource Management
 * International Organization for Migration: @http://www.micronesia.iom.int/
 * Island Research & Education Initiative (IREI): @http://www.islandresearch.org/index.html
 * Island Food Community of Pohnpei: @http://www.islandfood.org/
 * Micronesia Conservation Trust: @http://www.ourmicronesia.org/
 * Office of Environment & Emergency Management, FSM National
 * Department of Agriculture, Office of Economic Affairs, Pohnpei State
 * Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Program (PASAP): @http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/government/initiatives/international-climate-change-adaptation-initiative/pacific-adaptation-strategy-assistance-program.aspx
 * The Nature Conservancy: @http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific/micronesia/index.htm
 * Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (Guam, CNMI, FSM): http://www.weriguam.org/

Climate varies from year to year due to **ENSO**, the a natural fluctuation between El Nino and La Nina that occurs across the tropical Pacific and affects weather globally. El Nino brings more rainfall during wet seasons and even less rainfall during dry seasons. La Nina brings above average rainfall during dry seasons. The **West Pacific Monsoon** is caused by large differences in temperature bwetween the land and the ocean. It tens to affects Chuuk and Yap more than Pohnpei and Kosrae, bringing more rain to east FSM during El Nino and less rain in a more western position during La Nina. The movement of the **ITCZ** -- a band of heavy rainfall caused by air rising over warm water over the equator -- affects rainfall in FSM. Wet season occurs when the ITCZ moves north closer to FSM. The ITCZ also results in less rainfall during El Nino and more during La Nina.

Data shows that __temperatures have increased__ in Pohnpei since 1952 (about 0.19 degrees Fahrenheit per decade), consistent with the global pattern of warming. There is also a __clear decreasing trend in annual and wet season rainfall__ since 1950; however, there is no clear trend in dry season patterns. Satellite data indicates the __sea level has risen__ in FSM by over 0.39 inches per year since 1993; although this higher rate of rise may be partially related to natural fluctuations caused by ENSO. Finally, __ocean acidification increasing__. Data shows that since the 18th century, the level of ocean acidification has been slowly increasing in FSM waters.

Scientists are expecting that __annual average air and sea surface temperatures will continue to increase__ by up to 1.8-1.9 degrees Fahrenheit. That means more very hot days and a decline in cooler weather. __Rainfall patterns will continue to change__ -- while global climate models are not showing consistent results, scientists are expecting __less frequent droughts__ and __more extreme rainfall days more often__. It is likely that there will also be a dec__rease in the proportion of intense storms__. And while there will likely be __fewer typhoons__, the __maximum wind speed of typhoons will increase__ by 2-11% and __rainfall intensity in typhoons will increase__ by about 20% within 100 km of typhoon centers. __Sea level will continue to rise__ by 1.2-5.9 inches by 2030, causing additional storm surges and coastal flooding. Finally, the __acidity of sea water will continue to increase__, further impacting the health of reef ecosystems.

Learn more about Climate & Climate Impacts in FSM:
 * "//Adapting to a Changing Climate//" (2011) by MCT: @http://www.cakex.org/virtual-library/3439
 * "//Climate Change in the Pacific//" Regional Overview, Country Reports, Brochures, and Posters by the Pacific Climate Change Science Program: @http://www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/PCCSP/publications.html
 * **Pacific Climate Change Portal** (SPREP): @http://www.pacificclimatechange.net/

Back to the Top =History & Way of Life= =Education=
 * **Teach ReSPECT** -- Teacher Resources on Selected Pacific Cultural Topics (PREL): http://www.prel.org/teams/teach-ReSPCT.asp
 * Education demographics from PCEP: @http://pcep.dsp.wested.org/content_items/389069
 * **Pohnpei State Department of Education**: @http://pohnpeimet.fm/education.htm
 * **FSM National Department of Education**: @http://www.fsmed.fm/
 * **College of Micronesia**: @http://www.comfsm.fm/

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=Photos= Want to know how to add photos to this gallery? Please see the Photo Gallery Tutorial.

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=Tell Your Climate Story= You can share a story about how climate change is affecting your community in two ways

Add a Story using Facebook
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Or Create a New Wiki Page with Pictures and Links

 * 1) Create a new wiki page
 * 2) Give it a title that includes your name
 * 3) Tag your page as //Pohnpei story//.
 * 4) Tell us your story (you can even include pictures and links!)

Your new page will appear in the list of Pohnpei Climate Stories here: include component="pageList" hideInternal="true" tag="pohnpei story" limit="10" Back to the Top