Chapter 29 Small IslandsImpacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability

PENEHURO FATU LEFALE

International Climate & Policy Analyst

email: pene@bodekerscientifi c.com

Key findings•Climate related drivers of risk include sea level rise, cyclones, increasing temperatures and changing rainfalls [High Confidence, Robust Evidence, High Agreement]

•Sea level rise poses threats to low-lying coastal areas [High Confidence, Robust Evidence, High Agreement]

Key findings•High level of vulnerability to multiple stressors, both climate and non-climate [High Confidence, Robust Evidence, High Agreement]

• No uniform climate change risk profiles [High Confidence]

•Risks from climate-related processes originating well beyond the borders of an individual nation and island [High Confidence, Robust Evidence, Medium Agreement]

Key findings•Adaptation generates larger benefits when delivered

with other development activities [Medium Confidence]

•Adaptation & mitigation are not always trade-offs [Medium Confidence]

•Adaptation & mitigation programs through appropriate assistance from the international community. [Medium Confidence]

Take home messages•Managing climate related risks.•Climate related risks: Interface of Hazard, Exposure and Vulnerability.•How? through a wide range of steps to be taken at every level of society.•Risks unevenly distributed. •Small islands – ‘day to day’ existence is a risk.