Last month we welcomed Ron Simpson to the Regional Pacific NDC Hub. Ron is the Regional Pacific NDC Hub's Adaptation Advisor and brings over 12 years of Marine and Coastal Fisheries Science and Adaptation experience in the region. Ron is a staff with GIZ Pacific and is part of the Regional Pacific NDC Hub Implementation Unit based in Suva, Fiji. We sat down with Ron to ask him a few questions after working for over a week at the Hub.
Q: What do you enjoy about working at the Hub?
A: Climate Change is a real issue and I feel I can contribute. Whether it’s adaptation to climate impacts or countries on mitigation efforts in which really is the heart behind the NDC Hub and I think that’s absolute key, it’s the reality on the ground. It’s a reality on the ground here in Fiji and across the region and the intensity and devastation of climate change is getting to be more and more of a reality. So, it’s very real and very practical and much needed and I bring close to 15 years of regional experience. I love the vibe, the atmosphere here at the hub. This is a very unique setup having these four partners in the same room together and I think it’s a junction of this wealth of knowledge of information and it’s kind of a powerhouse, an engine room.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself
A: My background is in Climate Change Adaptation and marine and coastal fisheries. So, all these issues that we face in the Pacific are not foreign. We got many site-specific cases, we also have many generic cases who all run at tandem with each other and I think that part of my experience will help me contribute quite substantially to the efforts of the Hub. Plus, mitigation is an issue that isn’t a priority in the Pacific right now but it’s good to jump on board with the rest of the world and be part of the global family on taking baby steps towards mitigation efforts. In terms of funding, I think when the bigger countries see that even though our emissions are very low, I think once they see the little efforts that are being put by the little countries on mitigation then this will attract more funding and I guess this will enable them to see that we are really on board.
Ron in his spare time loves to pick up his old guitar, to pen and string up a few tunes.
