Rising Waters and Forgotten Nations
For many Americans Climate Change is not something that is thought about everyday. It is not something that is currently affecting their lives. In Micronesia it affects everything. Communities on low lying coral islands or atolls will soon have to move off their islands, their family’s home for generations, because it will be flooded and will become part of the ever expanding Pacific Ocean.
Since arriving in Micronesia a little over 14 months ago I have experienced a severe drought, flooding, and higher king tides than ever before. I have heard first hand of what is happening in small coral islands. One of my fellow Peace Corps volunteers told me how the ocean, at high tide, was flooding his island’s taro patch. For those of you who do not know taro is a staple in this region and is a major part of the diet. Losing an island’s taro patch, especially an outer island’s patch, is a huge blow to food security and preventing malnutrition.
In February this year the majority of my community experienced a flood. A significant amount of the homes and businesses were flooded as people slept. I asked my friends and family on Kosrae if this was common and they said 50 years ago this would have never happened. Whilst Kosrae is experiencing the effects of Climate Change it is one of the lucky islands in the Federated States of Micronesia. Kosrae has mountains in the middle of the island which people, if need be, could live on. However, this would mean leaving behind homes, their land, and their communities and having to completely re-establish their way of life and living. Many islands in the Federated States of Micronesia will not be so lucky.
Now more than ever it is important to tackle Climate Change and the issues that rising global temperatures, globalization, and pollution have caused. So do something, even if it is small. Turn your air-conditioning off, dry you clothes in the sun, walk 15 minutes instead of driving for 5. Whilst it may be too late for many Pacific islands to recover from the devastating impacts of Climate Change, it may still be possible to mitigate the affects of Climate Change globally and to help the planet and its people survive.
For more information about climate change and pacific islands check out the links below or do your own research.
Climate Change In The Federated States of Micronesia: Food And Water Security, Climate Risk Management, And Adaptive Strategies
Global Warming: Thousands Flee Pacific islands on Front Line of Climate Change
World Bank: let climate-threatened Pacific islanders migrate to Australia or NZ
For Pacific Island States, Climate Change Is an Existential Threat
Micronesia: A Third Kind of Nation, Written Off?
Since arriving in Micronesia a little over 14 months ago I have experienced a severe drought, flooding, and higher king tides than ever before. I have heard first hand of what is happening in small coral islands. One of my fellow Peace Corps volunteers told me how the ocean, at high tide, was flooding his island’s taro patch. For those of you who do not know taro is a staple in this region and is a major part of the diet. Losing an island’s taro patch, especially an outer island’s patch, is a huge blow to food security and preventing malnutrition.
In February this year the majority of my community experienced a flood. A significant amount of the homes and businesses were flooded as people slept. I asked my friends and family on Kosrae if this was common and they said 50 years ago this would have never happened. Whilst Kosrae is experiencing the effects of Climate Change it is one of the lucky islands in the Federated States of Micronesia. Kosrae has mountains in the middle of the island which people, if need be, could live on. However, this would mean leaving behind homes, their land, and their communities and having to completely re-establish their way of life and living. Many islands in the Federated States of Micronesia will not be so lucky.
Now more than ever it is important to tackle Climate Change and the issues that rising global temperatures, globalization, and pollution have caused. So do something, even if it is small. Turn your air-conditioning off, dry you clothes in the sun, walk 15 minutes instead of driving for 5. Whilst it may be too late for many Pacific islands to recover from the devastating impacts of Climate Change, it may still be possible to mitigate the affects of Climate Change globally and to help the planet and its people survive.
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For more information about climate change and pacific islands check out the links below or do your own research.
Climate Change In The Federated States of Micronesia: Food And Water Security, Climate Risk Management, And Adaptive Strategies
Global Warming: Thousands Flee Pacific islands on Front Line of Climate Change
World Bank: let climate-threatened Pacific islanders migrate to Australia or NZ
For Pacific Island States, Climate Change Is an Existential Threat
Micronesia: A Third Kind of Nation, Written Off?
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