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Environmental Impacts Faced by Pacific Islands - Coggle Diagram
Environmental Impacts Faced by Pacific Islands
Maslow's Physiological Needs
Inhabitants of many islands are suffering from extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, heavy rainfall and floods due to climate change.
Water shortages due to coastal erosion
Rising sea levels forced inhabitants to evacuate their low-lying lands
Many island are predicted to be unlivable in 30 years. This will cause forced and mass displacement of the island's citizens.
Cultural Erosion
The inevitable mass displacement of Pacific Islanders will cause them to lose their land. Future generations will be unable to experience the same deep connection to their land.
Many young Pacific Islanders are already relocating to safer states (eg. New Zealand) in search for better opportunities and futures. They may lose connection with their culture and land after a prolonged period of time.
Reduction of People's Capabilities and Economic Freedom
The livelihoods of people who live on the Pacific Islands are mainly dependent on agriculture, forestry and fishing. Climate change threatens these natural resources. This limits the economic output of Pacific Islanders.
Extreme weather events also have a particularly detrimental impact on tourism.
Education: A Positive Human Right + Skills & Capabilities
Primary and secondary schools in the region have so far taught pupils little about the local effects of climate change.
Pacific Islanders are insufficiently prepared to cope with the impacts of climate change. There is a lack of knowledge, reliable data and adaptation strategies (eg.alternative farming, fishing and forestry methods). The effects of climate change and possible adaptation strategies are increasingly being incorporated into policy frameworks and regulations. However, information and knowledge management, the monitoring and coordination of these adaptation measures at regional and national level are in need of improvement.
"Coping with climate change in the Pacific island region" Program (Commissioned by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development from 2009-2020): improving Pacific Islands' information packages, advisory services and training opportunities on the topic of climate change.
Several Pacific island states have integrated the subject of climate change and its effects into their primary and secondary school curricula and their teacher training and continuing professional development programmes.
The initiative supports 15 countries in implementing 22 projects in the fields of climate adaptation and renewable energies.
Vanuatu farmers are breeding pigs that are more heat-tolerant and cultivating crops that are better adapted to changes in the climate. The country has also introduced solar-powered fruit driers and coral farming.
Realism vs Liberalism
Pacific Island representatives have been repeatedly talking about climate change in United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs). They continue to urge larger and economically advantaged states to take stronger stances against climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For the first time in COP history (COP 27), Island States received money for loss and damage onto the agenda.
Blame diffusion