How Does Climate Change Impact Our Lives in the Pacific?

Sea Levels may rise to as much as .88m

Climate Change already threatens all key development sectors in the Pacific.

  • There will be less land for our use due to sea level rise, caused by climate change flooding coastal plains. Low lying atolls are especially at risk.
  • There will be less freshwater available for our use. Climate change increases the incidence of extreme events such as floods, droughts and cyclone which threaten freshwater supply.
  • Agriculture will be affected. Coastal plains, where most of our agriculture is based, can be salinised due to sea-level rise and become less productive. Increased natural disasters will damage crops and warmer, wetter climate will favour the breeding of pests.
  • Reefs and Marine Resources will be affected. Increased ocean temperatures degrade coral reefs through coral bleaching. Some migratory species, such as Tuna, will move to areas where ocean conditions are more suited to their survival.
  • Disease prevalence will increase as warmer, wetter conditions favour the breeding of disease carrying insects such as mosquitoes (spreading dengue and malaria) and aquatic pathogens such as giardia.
  • Tourism will be affected by the increase in natural disasters, biodiversity loss and increased prevalence of disease.
  • A less productive resource-base, increases in the severity of natural disasters and poor human health will affect our economies.

Why are we so vulnerable?

The Pacific region is made up of 22 small-island developing states and territories, many of which are low lying atolls with limited land space, and human and financial resources.

We depend on our limited natural resources for our very existence. Fishing, tourism and agriculture dominate the economies of the Pacific Islands and these sectors all stand to be affected by the changes in the climate.

Pacific Islands are already susceptible to natural hazzards such as cyclones, storm surges, droughts and flooding. Scientists are predicting that climate change will see such extreme events happen both more frequently and more intensely.

  • In Fiji, half of the population live within 60 kilometres of the shore with 90% of villages located on the coast. Sea level rise may threaten village livelihoods, and traditional settlement patterns, as people may have to move away from their customary land, to higher ground.
  • On Upolu Island, Samoa 70% of churches and 60% of schools are located on coastal lowland.
  • Many of our island people rely on fisheries as a source of food and income from coral reef and mangrove habitats that are threatened by warming ocean temperatures and sea level rise.