Climate Change Puts Pacific Islands at Risk, says WMO (The World Meteorological Organization )
By CCN News | Published: Aug 23, 2024
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Image Source: Google Earth
A new report reveals that Pacific islands are in serious danger due to climate change, facing threats from rising sea levels, warmer oceans, and increased acidification. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights that these issues are worsening faster in the Pacific compared to other regions.
The WMO’s latest report shows that sea levels around the Pacific Islands are rising at a rate higher than the global average. Since 1980, sea surface temperatures in this area have increased three times faster than elsewhere, and marine heatwaves are now both more frequent and intense.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo released the report at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga. Guterres called the situation a “global catastrophe,” stressing that greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels are heating the planet and causing sea levels to rise.
Despite contributing very little to global emissions, Pacific islands are highly vulnerable. Most of these islands are only a few meters above sea level, with many people and crucial infrastructure located near the coast. Guterres warned that while some sea level rise is unavoidable, its impact can be reduced by cutting emissions and improving climate adaptation.
Tonga, the host country of the forum, is especially at risk due to its exposure to tropical cyclones and flooding. It also experienced a major volcanic eruption in January 2022, which complicated the climate situation further.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that the ocean has absorbed much of the excess heat from greenhouse gases, leading to long-lasting changes. She noted that early warning systems are essential for managing climate risks but are only available in about a third of small island nations.
The report, prepared with various international partners, also reviews the latest climate drivers and extreme weather events. In 2023, 34 significant weather events affected over 25 million people in the region, resulting in more than 200 deaths.
Image Source: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Key Findings from the Report:
Sea Level Rise: Sea levels in the western Pacific have increased by 10-15 cm since 1993, nearly twice the global average.
Ocean Warming: The South-West Pacific is warming at a rate of over 0.4°C per decade, three times faster than the global average.
Marine Heatwaves: These events have become more intense and frequent, damaging coral reefs and marine life.
Ocean Acidification: Increased carbon dioxide has made the ocean more acidic, disrupting marine ecosystems.
The report will be discussed further at an upcoming forum in Singapore focused on building resilience against climate impacts. A summary of the report will be available on the UN climate action website during the press conference.
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