Small Islands (SI)
Climate Change Impacts and Needs in Asia-Pacific Region
Small Islands (SI)
Changes in Climate Factors
- Sea level rise
- Sea level rise
- Increased intensity/ frequency of extreme events
- Air temperature rise
Primary Impacts
- Inundation of land
- Acceleration of coastal erosion
- Shrinking of freshwater lens due to sea level rise and changes in precipitation
- Damage from storm surge
- Increase in groundwater evapotranspiration due to rise of groundwater level
- Worsening of coastal disasters
- Accelerated deterioration/bleaching of coral reefs
- Increased disease
Natural/Social Factors
- Small land mass surrounded by ocean
- Maintain freshwater in the form of a freshwater lens
- Location in an area affected by tropical cyclones
Secondary Impacts
- Loss of land
- Loss or destruction of infrastructure, such as airports, roads, municipal services, etc.
- Loss of areas fit for safe and healthy habitation
- Reduction/depletion of water resources
- Decrease in fisheries resources
- Decline in agricultural productivity due to land loss, increased soil salinity, water resource shortages, etc.
- Decline of tourism industry due to loss or deterioration of tourism resources (coral reefs, comfortable climate, cultural assets)Deterioration of health conditions
Natural/Social Factors
- More than half of population live in settlements close to coast
- Most infrastructure is located near coastal zone
- Dependency of water resources on precipitation and groundwater (freshwater lens. etc.), shortage of water infrastructure such as reservoirs, and increase in water demand
- Tourism, fishing, agriculture are important industries
- Sanitation infrastructure in inadequate for public sanitation practices and waste treatment practices
Needs and Changes
- Control of inundation/flooding (retreat, defense, drainage, etc.)
- Conservation/Securing of water quality for agriculture/fisheries
- Conservation of tourism resources
- Improvement of health conditions