COP23 side event to feature disappearing Pacific islands

Five islands in the Solomon Islands have submerged underwater and six more have experienced a dramatic reduction in shoreline due to man-made climate change.

What does this mean to the future of the Pacific region and Pacific people, where much of the land consists of low lying islands? There are a number of implications to this including issues associated with the integrity of Island nations’ Exclusive Economic Zones.

If this trend continues, climate induced displacement and migration of people will become inevitable. Will island nations be in a position to seek compensation for what is clearly a case of loss and damage for these countries?

Not to further exacerbate this problem, the global community needs to quickly limit temperature rise below the 1.5°C target, primarily by keeping coal in the ground, limiting emissions from transport, and preserving the oceans and the cryosphere, all issues that have been inadequately addressed in the Paris Agreement.

The side event will bring together a panel consisting of former President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, Ambassador Ngedikes Olai Uludong of the Republic of Palau, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Development Forum François Martel, Professor Elisabeth Holland from the University of the South Pacific and representation from the University of Bergen, Parvati.org and Solomon Islands.