scholarly journals Putting WASH in the water cycle: climate change, water resources and the future of water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in Pacific Island Countries

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wade L. Hadwen ◽  
Bronwyn Powell ◽  
Morgan C. MacDonald ◽  
Mark Elliott ◽  
Terence Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Island Countries

The Pacific region presents some of the lowest water and sanitation coverage figures globally, with some countries showing stagnating or even declining access to improved water and sanitation. In addition, Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are among the most vulnerable countries on the globe to extreme and variable climatic events and sea-level rise caused by climate change. By exploring the state of water and sanitation coverage in PICs and projected climatic variations, we add to the growing case for conserving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions within a holistic integrated water resource management (IWRM) framework. PICs face unique challenges of increasing variability in rainfall (leading to drought and flooding), increasing temperatures, and likely higher than average sea-level rise, all of which impact on freshwater security. Add to this geographic and economic isolation, and limited human and physical resources, and the challenge of WASH provision increases dramatically. In this setting, there is a stronger case than ever for adopting a holistic systems understanding, as promoted by IWRM frameworks, to WASH interventions so that they consider past and current challenges as well as future scenarios.

scholarly journals Revisiting the contemporary sea-level budget on global and regional scales

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 1504-1509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roelof Rietbroek ◽  
Sandra-Esther Brunnabend ◽  
Jürgen Kusche ◽  
Jens Schröter ◽  
Christoph Dahle
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Joint Inversion ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
Mass Rate ◽  
Sea Level Anomalies ◽  
The Pacific

Dividing the sea-level budget into contributions from ice sheets and glaciers, the water cycle, steric expansion, and crustal movement is challenging, especially on regional scales. Here, Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) gravity observations and sea-level anomalies from altimetry are used in a joint inversion, ensuring a consistent decomposition of the global and regional sea-level rise budget. Over the years 2002–2014, we find a global mean steric trend of 1.38 ± 0.16 mm/y, compared with a total trend of 2.74 ± 0.58 mm/y. This is significantly larger than steric trends derived from in situ temperature/salinity profiles and models which range from 0.66 ± 0.2 to 0.94 ± 0.1 mm/y. Mass contributions from ice sheets and glaciers (1.37 ± 0.09 mm/y, accelerating with 0.03 ± 0.02 mm/y2) are offset by a negative hydrological component (−0.29 ± 0.26 mm/y). The combined mass rate (1.08 ± 0.3 mm/y) is smaller than previous GRACE estimates (up to 2 mm/y), but it is consistent with the sum of individual contributions (ice sheets, glaciers, and hydrology) found in literature. The altimetric sea-level budget is closed by coestimating a remaining component of 0.22 ± 0.26 mm/y. Well above average sea-level rise is found regionally near the Philippines (14.7 ± 4.39 mm/y) and Indonesia (8.3 ± 4.7 mm/y) which is dominated by steric components (11.2 ± 3.58 mm/y and 6.4 ± 3.18 mm/y, respectively). In contrast, in the central and Eastern part of the Pacific, negative steric trends (down to −2.8 ± 1.53 mm/y) are detected. Significant regional components are found, up to 5.3 ± 2.6 mm/y in the northwest Atlantic, which are likely due to ocean bottom pressure variations.

scholarly journals Adapting to Pacific Island mangrove responses to sea level rise and climate change

2006 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
EL Gilman ◽  
J Ellison ◽  
V Jungblut ◽  
H Van Lavieren ◽  
L Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Pacific Island

scholarly journals Envisioning South-South relations in the fields of environmental change and migration in the Pacific Islands - past, present and futures

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eberhard Weber
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Pacific Islanders ◽  
Marshall Islands ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Migration Flows ◽  
Pacific Island Countries

Climate change poses severe threats to developing countries. Scientists predict entire states (e.g. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Maldives) will become inhabitable. People living in these states have to resettle to other countries. Media and politicians warn that climate change will trigger migration flows in dimensions unknown to date. It is feared that millions from developing countries overwhelm developed societies and increase pressures on anyway ailing social support systems destabilizing societies and becoming a potential source of conflict.Inhabitants of Pacific Islandsahave been mobile since the islands were first settled not longer than 3,500 years ago. Since then people moved around, expanded their reach, and traded with neighbouring tribes (and later countries). With the event of European powers in the 15thcentury independent mobility became restricted after the beginning of the 19thcentury. From the second half of the 19thcentury movements of people predominately served economic interests of colonial powers, in particular a huge colonial appetite for labour. After independence emigration from Pacific Island countries continued to serve economic interest of metropolitan countries at the rim of the Pacific Ocean, which are able to direct migration flows according to their economic requirements.If climate change resettlements become necessary in big numbers then Pacific Islanders do not want to become climate change refugees. To include environmental reasons in refugee conventions is not what Pacific Islanders want. They want to migrate in dignity, if it becomes unavoidable to leave their homes. There are good reasons to solve the challenges within Pacific Island societies and do not depend too much on metropolitan neighbours at the rim of the Pacific such as Australia, New Zealand and the USA. To rise to the challenge requires enhanced Pan-Pacific Island solidarity and South-South cooperation. This then would result in a reduction of dependencies. For metropolitan powers still much can be done in supporting capacity building in Pacific Island countries and helping the economies to proposer so that climate change migrants easier can be absorbed by expanding labour markets in Pacific Island countries.

Indigenous Pacific Approaches to Climate Change: Pacific Island Countries, Jenny Bryant-Tokalau (2018)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-111
Author(s):  
Roy Smith
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Regional Organizations ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Island Countries

Review of: Indigenous Pacific Approaches to Climate Change: Pacific Island Countries, Jenny Bryant-Tokalau (2018) Cham: Palgrave Pivot, 111 pp., ISBN 978 3 319 78398 7 (hbk), £44.99   Indigenous Pacific Approaches to Climate Change: Aotearoa/New Zealand, Lyn Carter (2019) Cham: Palgrave Pivot, 106 pp., ISBN 978 3 319 96438 6 (hbk), £49.99   Combatting Climate Change in the Pacific: The Role of Regional Organizations, Marc Williams and Duncan McDuie-Ra (2018) London: Palgrave Macmillan, 136 pp., ISBN 978 3 319 88816 3 (pbk), £44.99

scholarly journals Sea level changes in the Pacific region and impacts of the 2009 El Niño in Fiji waters [assessment from 18 years land-based data]

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Than Aung ◽  
Awnesh Singh ◽  
Dayang Siti Maryam
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
Level Data ◽  
The Pacific

The sea level rise issue is one of the major topics that has gained increasing global attention. In particular, its impacts on many Pacific island countries and other low lying countries have been more prevalent over the last two decades. Sea level data from the AusAID funded South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project will be focused in this study despite the fact that the length of data is not sufficiently long. The project was set up in response to concerns raised by Pacific island countries over the potential impacts of an enhanced greenhouse effect on climate and sea levels in the South Pacific initially for 20 years and probably more. Based upon 18 years of sea level data from the project, the range of sea level rise rate in the Pacific region is between 3.1 mm y–1 (Kiribati) and 8.4 mm y–1 (Tonga) as of June 2011. This is 3–4 times higher than the global average of 1–2 mm y–1. Although the data length is for the last 18 years, the sea level trend values do not fluctuate significantly since 2002. It simply indicates that the rate of sea level rise in the Pacific region is not accelerating as anticipated by the local community. Interestingly, the profound effects of El Niño on sea level changes are quite unpredictable even during the 2009 mild El Niño. In two particular spots in the Pacific and their vicinities (at latitude 12°S & longitude 180°E and latitude 14°S & longitude 157°E) sea level drop in these areas is ~40 cm during March 2010. Although the present effect of El Niño on sea level changes is isolated and not Pacific wide like in 1997–98 El Niño, it simply indicates the complexity of sea level issue and danger of projecting future sea level trends at a particular area.

scholarly journals Rise and fall of sea level in Nauru area over a nodal cycle

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali S. Hussein ◽  
Awnesh Singh ◽  
Than Aung
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Rise Rate ◽  
Pacific Island Countries ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Data Length

The sea level rise issue is one of the major topics that have gained global attention. In particular, its impacts on many Pacific island countries have been more prevalent over the last two decades. The tiny island of Nauru, once a wealthy nation, is no exception to the effect of climate change. With its highest point ~61 m above sea level, and the threat of sea level rise evident, Nauru is under pressure to save itself from sea level rise problem. Sea level data from the AusAID funded South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project will be focussed on despite the fact that the length of data is not sufficiently long. The project was set up in response to concerns raised by Pacific island countries over the potential impacts of an enhanced greenhouse effect on climate and sea levels in the South Pacific for 20 years initially. Based upon 17 years of sea level data from the project, the sea level rise rate in Nauru as at July 2010 was 4.4 mm yr–1. This is at least 2–3 times higher than the global average of 1–2 mm yr–1. Sea level in the Nauru area has risen approximately 7.5 cm since the inception of the project 17 years ago (July 1993). Although there is no significant impact on the sea level trends, it is to be noted that the land is quite stable and the rate of land rising is 0.01 mm yr–1. Although the data length is for the last 17 years, the sea level trend values do not fluctuate significantly since 2002. It simply indicates that the rate of sea level rise in the Nauru region is not accelerating as anticipated by the community.

China may see an opening in Pacific Islands

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Development Aid ◽  
Military Regime ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
West Papua ◽  
Pacific Island Countries ◽  
Military Control

Significance Fiji returned to democracy in 2014 after being ruled by a military regime since 2006. Fiji's president, Frank Bainimarama, who was its military ruler, implemented a 'Look North' strategy to orient the island towards China. This was a response to Australia and New Zealand's attempts to end Fijian military control, but it heralds a re-ordering of Pacific Islands international fora that extends beyond Fiji's actions in this area. Impacts The Pacific Island countries will push hard for a climate change deal at COP21. Indonesia will be able to contain possible challenges to its position in (West) Papua. Development aid will be a key avenue to increasing Chinese influence in the region.

Climate Change and Changing Coasts

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive Schofield
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Coastal Ecosystems ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Small Island Developing States ◽  
Relative Sea Level ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Global Sea Level

Sea level rise has provoked widespread concerns that low-lying parts of coastal States including parts or even the entirety of small island developing States face a looming threat of erosion and inundation. Concerns over the potential impacts of sea level rise on the location of baselines along the coast and therefore on the scope of national claims to maritime jurisdiction have also been raised. The article outlines climate change impacts on the oceans before briefly reviewing projections of sea level rise. A number of the complexities and uncertainties which make prediction of the scale and speed of global sea level rise problematic are highlighted. The importance of assessing relative sea level against the contrasting responses of coasts with diverse geophysical characteristics and distinct coastal ecosystems is emphasised. Potential impacts on island coastlines in the Pacific are then considered and implications maritime claims discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document