LINKS TO ARTICLES ABOUT: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS

Summary

1. Pacific islands face rising sea levels due to climate change.
2. Australia aids through climate adaptation projects in the Pacific.
3. International collaboration supports renewable energy in island nations.
4. Coastal erosion threatens Pacific communities' livelihoods.
5. Sustainable practices foster resilience in the Pacific against climate impacts

SOME EXAMPLES OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON PACIFIC REGION

1. Rising Sea Levels: Threatens low-lying islands, risking their existence and survival​​​​.: In Tuvalu, sea level rose approximately 13.2cm from 1993 to 2021​​.
2. Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity lead to destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods​​​​.
3. Ocean Acidification: Harms reef health, vital for local fishing and community livelihoods, and exacerbates coastal erosion​​.
4. Water Security Threats: Rising sea levels and storm surges increase saltwater intrusion, affecting fragile water sources​​.
5. Agricultural and Food Security: Rising temperatures affect agricultural output, posing risks to food security​​.
6. Economic Strain: Coastal erosion and climate adaptation measures impose significant financial burdens on national budgets​​.
7. Land and Resource Conflicts: Erosion and loss of land may lead to disputes and conflicts over marine resources and shrinking exclusive economic zones (EEZs)​​.
8. Human Health Risks: Climate-related changes impact physical health and increase potential for violence, especially against women and children​​.
9. Cultural and Social Impacts: Threatens the traditional way of life and cultural heritage of Pacific Islanders​​.

SOME EXAMPLES OF GLOBAL RESPONSE TO IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON PACIFIC NATIONS

1. Financial Assistance: Many countries, particularly wealthier nations, provide financial aid to support climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in Pacific Island nations.
2. Technology Transfer: The transfer of green technologies, such as renewable energy systems, from developed countries to Pacific Island nations helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
3. Research Collaboration: Collaborative research projects with international universities and institutions help in understanding the specific impacts of climate change in the Pacific region.
4. Financial Sector Resilience: The US plans to invest in strengthening the financial sector in the Pacific, including a $1 million initiative for anti-money laundering systems and $1.25 million support for the IMF’s Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Cente.
5. Resilient and Secure Infrastructure: Over $40 million is allocated for resilient infrastructure in the Pacific, focusing on sustainable and climate-resilient development​.
6. Digital Connectivity and Redundancy: The US supports the expansion of digital connectivity in the Pacific with investments like the $3 million Central Pacific Cable project and additional support for the East Micronesia Cable​.
7. Australia's Regional Relationships: Australia has a significant relationship with Pacific island nations as a major regional partner.
8. Australia-Tuvalu Climate and Migration Agreement: In November 2023, Australia signed an agreement with Tuvalu, offering permanent residency to 280 Tuvaluans annually, acknowledging Tuvalu’s vulnerability to climate change

ENCYLOPEDIA BRITANNICA: CLIMATE CHANGE

1. A Recent History of Climate Change | Britannica
2. Is Climate Change Real? | Britannica
3. What is global warming? | Britannica
4. Timeline of Climate Change | Britannica
5. Pacific Islands | Countries, Map, & Facts | Britannica
6. Climate Change Throughout History | Saving Earth | Encyclopedia Britannica
7. Threat of climate change explained | Britannica
8. Climate change - Evidence, Causes, Impacts | Britannica
9. Climate change Facts | Britannica

ARTICLES FROM THE WEB REF CLIMATE CHANGE PACIFIC REGION

1. November 10, 2023 - ABC: Anthony Albanese offers Tuvalu residents the right to resettle in Australia, as climate change 'threatens its existence'
2. September 21, 2023 - UN News: Pacific Island leaders addressed the UN General Assembly, highlighting the severe impacts of climate change in their region
3. September 26, 2023 - AP News: President Joe Biden assured Pacific Islands Forum leaders that the U.S. acknowledges the impact of climate change on their region and is committed to assisting them​​.
4. March 24, 2023 - ANU Reporter: An article discussed how the Pacific Islands are at the forefront of the climate change battle, emphasizing that this is a global issue requiring collective action​​.
5. May 15, 2023 - AP News: Pacific Island leaders criticized wealthy nations for not doing enough to combat climate change, despite being major contributors to the problem​​.
6. Jan 23, 2023 -  BRIEFER: Climate Change as a “Threat Multiplier”: History, Uses and Future of the Concept « The Center for Climate & Security (climateandsecurity.org)
7. September 21, 2023- UNEP: The United Nations Environment Programme highlighted the Pacific Islands’ minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions yet noted their significant suffering from the economic, social, and environmental costs of climate change​​.
8. December 12, 2022 - NCBI: The Pacific Islands Forum has increasingly linked climate change with security concerns, leading to the United Nations launching a climate security project for Kiribati​​.

References

• Collections |The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• ADDITIONAL READING RAAF RUNWAY (PME)
• RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC