Pacific Island Developing Countries (PIDCs) contribute a minuscule 0.03 percent to global carbon dioxide emissions, with residents producing only a quarter of the world's average emissions per person. However, despite their minimal emissions, these nations are expected to face some of the earliest and harshest consequences of climate change, with a particular focus on its impact on freshwater resources. This chapter delves into the potential threats posed by climate change to the already stressed freshwater supplies in PIDCs.
The U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) are meteorologically characterized by tropical latitudes, consistently warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent extreme weather events influenced by factors like the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and tropical cyclones. Climate change effects, including rising sea levels and temperature, are impacting these islands, potentially leading to more severe droughts and intense precipitation events, particularly affecting freshwater resources and local ecosystems.
Since the adoption of Agenda 21 following the United Nations Conference on Environment and development in 1992, this report constitutes the first opportunity for Samoa to assess its situation with regard to sustainable development in the past decade