Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels, which release heat-trapping greenhouse gases. A direct consequence of this warming is sea level rise, caused by the thermal expansion of ocean water and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. For many island nations, particularly low-lying Small Island Developing States (SIDS), this dual threat is not merely an environmental concern but an existential crisis, endangering their land, livelihoods, and unique cultures. The average global sea level has risen by approximately 20-23 centimeters since 1880, with the rate accelerating significantly in recent decades.
Impacts of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise on Island Nations
Island nations, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise due to their low elevation, small land area, and high dependence on marine and coastal resources. The effects are profound and multi-dimensional, threatening their very existence.
1. Geographical and Territorial Loss
- Land Submergence and Erosion: Rising sea levels directly lead to the inundation of low-lying coastal areas, reducing habitable land. Coastal erosion intensifies, washing away shorelines and vital ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs that act as natural buffers.
- Loss of Sovereignty: As land disappears, the maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of these nations are threatened, raising complex international law challenges regarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. Environmental Degradation
- Saltwater Intrusion: Rising seas contaminate freshwater aquifers, rendering them unusable for drinking and agriculture, exacerbating water scarcity.
- Ecosystem Damage: Increased ocean temperatures and acidification, consequences of climate change, severely damage coral reefs, which are critical for biodiversity, coastal protection, and tourism.
- Extreme Weather Events: Climate change amplifies the intensity and frequency of tropical cyclones and storm surges, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and communities.
3. Socio-Economic and Cultural Disruption
- Displacement and Climate Refugees: Communities are forced to abandon their ancestral lands, leading to internal displacement and the emergence of "climate refugees" seeking asylum in other countries. This relocation severs cultural ties and traditional ways of life.
- Threat to Livelihoods: Economies heavily reliant on tourism, fisheries, and agriculture are devastated. Coastal infrastructure, including homes, roads, and ports, is damaged, impeding economic activity. For instance, the fishing industry is impacted by altered marine ecosystems, while salinization destroys arable land.
- Health Impacts: Contaminated water sources and disruptions to sanitation infrastructure increase the risk of waterborne diseases.
Examples of Affected Island Nations
- Maldives: One of the lowest-lying countries globally, with 80% of its land less than 1 meter above sea level. Projections suggest that much of the country could become uninhabitable by 2050 due to rising seas.
- Tuvalu: An archipelago with an average elevation of just 2 meters. Sea levels around Tuvalu have risen at a rate one and a half times the global average. Some reports indicate that half of its capital, Funafuti, could be submerged by daily tides by 2050. The nation has explored initiatives like creating digital replicas of itself and has a migration agreement with Australia (Falepili Union) to secure its future.
- Kiribati: This Pacific island nation is losing land annually, with some uninhabited islands like Tebua Tarawa and Abanuea already disappearing underwater in 1999. Kiribati purchased land in Fiji in 2012 as a potential refuge for its citizens.
- Solomon Islands: Five of its islands have disappeared into the ocean, and six larger islands have lost over 20% of their surface area due to sea level rise, which is three times higher than the global average in some parts of the archipelago.
Conclusion
In conclusion, climate change and sea level rise pose an immediate and profound existential threat to numerous island nations worldwide. From geographical disappearance and environmental degradation to severe socio-economic and cultural displacement, the consequences are far-reaching. The vulnerability of these small island states underscores the urgent need for robust global climate action, including drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced international support for adaptation measures, financial assistance, and pathways for climate-induced migration, to safeguard their future and preserve their unique heritage.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.