What has happened so far? And what is yet to happen?

Pacific Island Countries are the most vulnerable countries of the world to the most adverse effects of climate change. Climate change is already affecting the Pacific Island Countries. Some are already in danger of dying out while some are facing the effects of climate change which is consequently devastating.

So let’s look at “What has happened so far?” Climate change, ozone depletion and sea level rise are not terms which have just come out of nowhere. Kiribati and Tuvalu are the very famous Pacific Island Countries known for its suffering due to climate change and ozone depletion. These Pacific Island Countries are going through “hell”. Sea level rise is at its peak, affecting the vegetation due to salt water intrusion, increase in coastal erosion, unpredictable weather patterns such as droughts and tropical cyclones are just too much for these people.

People are crying out there in these Pacific Island Countries. They feel helpless at times when they think of “relocation”. The beautiful paradise like island, where their ancestors lived, they grew up and their children were brought up, how will they leave their beautiful paradise? And where will they go to?

These are some questions most likely to be thought by the people in Kiribati and Tuvalu. Climate change is affecting all aspects of people’s lives. It is affecting the vegetation due to salt water intrusion, crops die out therefore, improper supply of root crops. This in turn, has done great damage to food security in Kiribati and Tuvalu.

The ecosystem, which is the most important component of food in Pacific Island Countries, is also in great danger. Temperature change will affect the coral reefs and mangrove which are home and a source of food for the marine organisms. Unpredictable events such as cyclones will also cause damage to the ecosystem. This however will affect food security.

And the most necessary component for us, humans’ water is also in immense danger. Climate change has led to salt water intrusion in wells. Therefore, people are finding it difficult to get access to safe drinking water. Unpredictable events such as tropical cyclones and droughts are normally very catastrophic.

The Pacific is in fact without a doubt one of the world’s most vulnerable regions when it comes to risk of disaster due to climate change, particularly several of the low-lying coral islands. Climate change is already affecting Pacific Islands with dramatic revenue loss across sectors such as agriculture, water resources, forestry, tourism and other industry-related sectors. 

One of the Pacific Island Countries, Tuvalu is already getting a glimpse of this catastrophe. Tuvalu is at the moment going through a major drought. This has affected nearly the whole population in Tuvalu. The people haven’t received any rain since last November. I feel sorry for these people. And I show my sincere commiseration towards them.

Looking at what is yet to happen, will be even more shattering. Sea level rise will continue to take place, salt water intrusion, unpredictable events, scarcity of root crops and marine organisms will also die out. People will be suffering in these Pacific Island Countries. Sooner or later they will have to relocate or die with the island.  And Kiribati and Tuvalu will eventually die out. The two paradises will diminish one day.