This report synthesizes the emerging evidence of climate impacts at different temperature thresholds for Pacific islands. All evidence points to vast differences in impacts in a 1.5˚C world, compared to the +3˚C world to which our current policies and climate change pledges are leading us. For Pacific islands and marine and coastal ecosystems in the region, these differences cannot be overstated; even a 0.5˚C difference (between 1.5˚C and 2˚C) may mean that critical tipping points are crossed.
Vulnerability Assessment for the outer islands of Yap
A direct internet link to Kiribati's Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (KIVA) database - a key instrument to identify and prepare a nation and its people to the risks posed by climate change and disaster.
The focus of this academic study is on the country’s two main urban areas: South Tarawa in the Gilbert
group and Kiritimati in the Line group. The study assesses the dependence of urban dwellers on their urban environment as well as examining their increasing vulnerability to climate change.
This academic paper investigates the vulnerability of households to climatic disasters in the low-lying atoll nation of Tuvalu. Using the most recent household surveys available, the authors constructed poverty and hardship profiles for households on the different islands of Tuvalu, and combine these with geographic and topographic information to assess the exposure differentials among different groups using spatial econometric models.
A report from a workshop that was aim to enable curriculum writers (formal and non formal) for K-6 to develop learning outcomes (including knowledge, skills and attitudes) on climate change and disaster risk reduction and options for mitigation and adaptation in Vanuatu (Agenda see Annex I)
This study examines the current influence of climate change on Samoa by looking at the three tenets of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. It also analyzes how environmentally secure Samoa is and will be, using Thomas Homer Dixon’s theory on climate change and conflict. Finally, the paper seeks to outline the current system of adaptation awareness that exists between government, community and foreign aid
components, and propose future strategies.
In response to climate change impacts like rising sea levels, efforts are being made in the Pacific Islands region to assess and adapt to the effects on mangroves. This includes improving management practices, reducing stress on mangroves, and integrating climate data into land-use planning to minimize risks to coastal ecosystems and human safety.
This chapter discusses advances in climate change impact, adaptation, and vulnerability assessment methods, emphasizing the growing use of risk management frameworks, stakeholder involvement, and diverse scenario approaches. These developments aim to provide policy-relevant information for effective decision-making in the face of climate change, recognizing the importance of considering non-climate factors and regional-scale scenarios.
A technical report of the RMI Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project focusing on water resource management in the atoll of Majuro
Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR) have similar aims and mutual benefits.However, to date the climate change and disaster risk management communities1 have operated largely in isolation from each other for a number of reasons. This situation must change as a matter of urgency.Adaptation and DRR policy makers, experts and practitioners must communicate and collaborate with each other effectively to ensure a comprehensive risk management approach to development at local, national and international levels of government
Available online
Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific, has in recent years lost about one metre of land around the circumference of its largest atoll due to changes in storm conditions and rising sea levels. Tuvalu is one of the worlds lowest lying countries, with its highest point standing a mere four and a half metres above sea level. Half of Tuvalus population of 11,000 people live just three metres above sea level
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 32 p.
In 2007, the UNFCCC Secretariat prepared a report on
"Investment and Financial Flows to Address Climate
Change".11 The report covers mitigation and adaptation in
various sectors over the period to 2030. The report defines
an investment as the initial (capital) cost of a new physical
asset with a life of more than one year, such as the capital
cost of a gas-fired generating unit or a water supply
system. A financial flow is an ongoing expenditure related
to climate change mitigation or adaptation that docs not
It is now widely acknowledged within the scientific community that the global rate of sea- level rise is quickening - and is likely to continue to do so as a result of anthropogenic
climate change. It is expected, therefore, that any resulting increase in the frequency or intensity of extreme sea-level events will cause serious problems for the inhabitants of low-
lying coastal communities and islands during the 21st century.
Available online
Call Number: [EL[
Physical Description: 16 p.
The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC (IPCC AR4) Working Group II (2007) identifies small island states as being among the most vulnerable countries of the world to the adverse impacts of climate change. Hay, el al.y (2003) in discussing the Pacific's observed climate noted that compared to earlier historical records during the twentieth century, the southern Pacific had experienced a significantly drier and warmer climate (by 15 percent and 0.8°C, respectively).
1. Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity/ requires each Party to develop or adapt national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and to integrate, as far as possible and as appropriate, the conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity into relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 11 Pages
Latent sea-level rise is defined here as the sea-level rise ultimately likely to occur due to emissions of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere, i.e. if all anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases were to cease at a particular time, various global systems would continue to change in response to
the gases remaining in the atmosphere until equilibrium was reached. Those systems include the atmosphere: the cryosphere, comprising snowfields,tundra soils, glaciers and ice-caps: the biosphere,including both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems:
Samoa is party to a number of international and regional treaties and conventions, including several with energy implications, particularly the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. Environmental issues related to energy use include air pollution from incineration of rubbish and cooking in outside kitchens. About 70% of Samoa's population and infrastructure are located in the environmentally vulnerable coastal zone. Only four of the coastline is resilient to coastal hazards.
The Environment can be considered tropical marine. Atolls are especially vulnerable to environmental damage. The water supply is easily damaged by pollutants. Land biodiversity is low. The primary dangers to the environment are tropical storms, oil spills and waste disposal from the settlements. Direct hits by cyclones are not common though near passages have caused serious damage due to high waves.
Available online|This report is based on data gathered by a PIREP team consisting of Tomas Tafia and Herbert Wade
Call Number: 333.794159615 WAD [EL]
Tonga has a small open economy with squash, coconuts and vanilla the main export crops that make up two thirds of total exports. A high proportion of food is imported, mainly from New Zealand. Remittances are important to the economy, as is tourism. Private sector development is emphasized in its Strategic Development Plan and there is a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. Fisheries and tourism are considered as having the most potential for further economic growth.