Climate change and sea-level rise pose a serious threat to the small island states, which span the ocean regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans as well as the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. Characteristics of small island states that increase their vulnerability include their small physical size relative to large expanses of ocean; limited natural resources; relative isolation; extreme openness of small economies that are highly sensitive to external shocks and highly prone to natural disasters and other extreme events; rapidly growing populations with high densities; poorly developed infrastructure; and limited funds, human resources, and skills. These characteristics limit the capacity of small island states to mitigate and adapt to future climate change and sea-level rise. [17.1.2]

Many small island states already are experiencing the effects of current large interannual variations in oceanic and atmospheric conditions. As a result, the most significant and more immediate consequences for small island states are likely to be related to changes in rainfall regimes, soil moisture budgets, prevailing winds (speed and direction), short-term variations in regional and local sea levels, and patterns of wave action. These changes are manifest in past and present trends of climate and climate variability, with an upward trend in average temperature by as much as 0.1°C per decade and sea-level rise of 2 mm yr^-1 in the tropical ocean regions in which most of the small island states are located. Analysis of observational data from various regions indicates an increase in surface air temperature that has been greater than global rates of warming, particularly in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Much of the variability in the rainfall record of the Pacific and Caribbean islands appears to be closely related to the onset of ENSO. However, part of the variability also may be attributable to shifts in the Intertropical and South Pacific Convergence Zone, whose influence on rainfall variability patterns must be better understood. The interpretation of current sea-level trends also is constrained by limitations of observational records, particularly from geodetic-controlled tide gauges. [17.1.3]

5.8.1. Equity and Sustainable Development

Although the contribution of small island states to global emissions of GHG is insignificant, projected impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on these states are likely to be serious. The impacts will be felt for many generations because of small island states' low adaptive capacity, high sensitivity to external shocks, and high vulnerability to natural disasters. Adaptation to these changing conditions will be extremely difficult for most small island states to accomplish in a sustainable manner. [17.2.1]

5.8.2. Coastal Zone

Much of the coastal change currently experienced in small island states is attributed to human activities on the coast. Projected sea-level rise of 5 mm yr^-1 over the next 100 years, superimposed on further coastal development, will have negative impacts on the coasts (high confidence). This in turn will increase the vulnerability of coastal environments by reducing natural resilience and increasing the cost of adaptation. Given that severity will vary regionally, the most serious considerations for some small island states will be whether they will have adequate potential to adapt to sea-level rise within their own national boundaries. [17.2.2.1, 17.2.3]

5.8.3. Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Projected future climate change and sea-level rise will affect shifts in species composition and competition. It is estimated that one of every three known threatened plants are island endemics while 23% of bird species found on islands are threatened. [17.2.5]

Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds that often rely on stable environmental conditions will be adversely affected by rising air and sea temperature and sea levels (medium confidence). Episodic warming of the sea surface has resulted in greatly stressed coral populations that are subject to widespread coral bleaching. Mangroves, which are common on low-energy, nutrient/sediment-rich coasts and embayments in the tropics, have been altered by human activities. Changes in sea levels are likely to affect landward and alongshore migration of remnants of mangrove forests that provide protection for coasts and other resources. An increase in SST would adversely affect seagrass communities, which already are under stress from land-based pollution and runoff. Changes in these systems are likely to negatively affect fishery populations that depend on them for habitat and breeding grounds. [17.2.4]

5.8.4. Water Resources, Agriculture, and Fisheries

Water resources and agriculture are of critical concern because most small island states possess limited arable land and water resources. Communities rely on rainwater from catchments and a limited freshwater lens. In addition, arable farming, especially on low islands and atolls, is concentrated at or near the coast. Changes in the height of the water table and soil salinization as a consequence of sea-level rise would be stressful for many staple crops, such as taro.

Although fishing is largely artisinal or small-scale commercial, it is an important activity on most small islands and makes a significant contribution to the protein intake of island inhabitants. Many breeding grounds and habitats for fish and shellfish -- such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and salt ponds -- will face increasing threats from likely impacts of projected climate change. Water resources, agriculture, and fisheries already are sensitive to currently observed variability in oceanic and atmospheric conditions in many small island states, and the impacts are likely to be exacerbated by future climate and sea-level change (high confidence). [17.2.6, 17.2.8.1]

5.8.5. Human Health, Settlement, Infrastructure and Tourism

Several human systems are likely to be affected by projected changes in climate and sea levels in many small island states. Human health is a major concern given that many tropical islands are experiencing high incidences of vector- and waterborne diseases that are attributable to changes in temperature and rainfall, which may be linked to the ENSO phenomenon, droughts, and floods. Climate extremes also create a huge burden on some areas of human welfare, and these burdens are likely to increase in the future. Almost all settlements, socioeconomic infrastructure, and activities such as tourism are located at or near coastal areas in small island states. Tourism provides a major source of revenue and employment for many small island states (Table TS-13). Changes in temperature and rainfall regimes, as well as loss of beaches, could devastate the economies of many small island states (high confidence). Because these areas are very vulnerable to future climate change and sea-level rise, it is important to protect and nourish beaches and sites by implementing programs that constitute wise use resources. Integrated coastal management has been identified as one approach that would be useful for many small island states for a sustainable tourism industry. [17.2.7, 17.2.9]

Table TS-13: Importance of tourism for select small island states and territories.
Country	Number of Tourists (000s)a	Tourists as % of Populationa	Tourist Receiptsb
			as % of GNP	as % of Exports
Antigua and Barbuda	232	364	63	74
Bahamas	1618	586	42	76
Barbados	472	182	39	56
Cape Verde	45	11	12	37
Comoros	26	5	11	48
Cuba	1153	11	9	n/a
Cyprus	2088	281	24	49
Dominica	65	98	16	33
Dominican Republic	2211	28	14	30
Fiji	359	45	19	29
Grenada	111	116	27	61
Haiti	149	2	4	51
Jamaica	1192	46	32	40
Maldives	366	131	95	68
Malta	1111	295	23	29
Mauritius	536	46	16	27
Papua New Guinea	66	2	2	3
St. Kitts and Nevis	88	211	31	64
St. Lucia	248	165	41	67
St. Vincent	65	55	24	46
Samoa	68	31	20	49
Seychelles	130	167	35	52
Singapore	7198	209	6	4
Solomon Islands	16	4	3	4
Trinidad and Tobago	324	29	4	8
Vanuatu	49	27	19	41
a Data on tourist inflows and ratio to population pertain to 1997. b Data for tourist receipts pertain to 1997 for the Bahamas, Cape Verde, Jamaica, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, and Solomon Islands; 1996 for Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent; 1995 for Barbados, Comoros, Cyprus, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu; and 1994 for St. Kitts and Nevis.

5.8.6. Sociocultural and Traditional Assets

Certain traditional island assets (good and services) also will be at risk from climate change and sea-level rise. These assets include subsistence and traditional technologies (skills and knowledge) and cohesive community structures that, in the past, have helped to buttress the resilience of these islands to various forms of shock. Sea-level rise and climate changes, combined with other environmental stresses, already have destroyed unique cultural and spiritual sites, traditional heritage assets, and important coastal protected areas in many Pacific island states. [17.2.10]

IPCC Homepage