One of the newest threats to island nations is climate change. A recent study compared aerial photographs of the Marshall Islands' Wotje Atoll and discovered that shorelines had eroded. Climate change is also affecting the Marshall Islands' fishing industry, which must adapt to shifting ecological inputs. Rising sea levels and erratic storms may affect the tourism industry as well. Adaptation measures taken by Pacific Island nations will be critical for the survival of their economies and communities.
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Impacts of human activities on small island states
Many factors make small island states particularly vulnerable to climate change, including their high population density, minimal elevation above sea level, and coastal ecosystems that depend on freshwater lenses. Climate change and the consequences of climate change will also have significant economic consequences for these states, especially for the fragile economies of these states. Climate change will make these islands more vulnerable to extreme weather events. It will cause significant losses in coastal ecosystems, including the ability of these communities to adapt to the changes.
Small island states must build resilience to the effects of climate change and other factors. In the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Maldives prioritized better sea defences, elevated buildings, and early warning systems. It is also exploring solar power as an alternative to diesel fuel and determining the best way to protect freshwater resources. The World Bank Group is also stepping up its support for sustainable tourism. But the challenges remain.
The main advantage of a centralised system is that it can treat a large volume of water at a high rate. It can treat all water uses and is more economical than a decentralised approach. However, it requires extensive development and a large amount of infrastructure. The system must include on-site operators and automated monitoring systems. This is not feasible for small communities or rural areas. However, it can benefit large communities with multiple water sources.
In the past, SIDS was defined as vulnerable, small islands with a limited land area. However, they increasingly identify as "large ocean states" as they control 30% of the world's seas and oceans. Small island states like Saint Lucia and Tuvalu have marine reserves the size of Germany, and their combined EEZ is larger than the entire land area of India. Despite the challenges these small island states face, there is still significant untapped economic potential.
Impacts of climate change on Atolls
During the recent UNFCCC COP25, the future leader of Kiribati, Tabitha Awerika, shared her experiences on the challenges facing youth in low-lying atoll nations. Awerika is part of the coalition of Atoll Nations on Climate Change (CAN-CC), which is working to increase global action to combat climate change. Delegates and the media well received her presentation.
The impacts of climate change on atoll nations are complex, and their futures are uncertain. There are many unanswered questions, and many are unclear on how to address them. The absence of data has hindered long-term planning, but the persistence of these island communities should inspire creative adaptation pathways. Here are three main areas to focus on. Foremost, there is a need for a greater understanding of the societal, economic, and political systems of atoll nations.
The climatic changes resulting from climate change are already affecting infrastructure in these tiny atoll nations. The climate-change-related impact on the islands has caused significant problems for schools, transport, and communications. Despite limited resources, the government of Tuvalu has been trying to address these problems by allocating some of its meagre savings toward infrastructure development. But these funds are not enough. Moreover, increasing sea levels have caused saltwater to seep into drinking water wells. The salty water is harmful to human health.
Adaptation measures taken by Pacific island states
Many countries in the Pacific are taking steps to adapt to climate change. These efforts are based on a partnership between national and regional agencies and local communities. The Australian Government and the Global Environment Facility Special Climate Change Fund funded the initiative. The United Nations Development Programme and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program are implementing partners. It is supported by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research C3D+ programme.
The Pacific region will likely continue to bear the brunt of climate change. The recent disaster in Fiji caused huge losses, leaving more than 2500 people displaced and losing their homes. Fiji is developing a decade-long plan to reduce its vulnerability to climate change. It has worked closely with the World Bank to assess the impact of natural hazards and design adaptation plans. The estimated cost of this plan is US$4.5 billion over the next ten years.
The region has a unique set of circumstances that make it particularly vulnerable to climate change. For example, most of these countries rely on fossil fuels for energy. As climate change increases, these countries must implement strategies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and increase their use of clean energy. However, they are also facing challenges that go beyond the climate. To overcome these challenges, Pacific Island countries are taking steps to improve water management.
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