Impact of sea level rise on island states

why in the news

About 300 families have recently been relocated from Gardi Sugdub Island in the Guna Yala province of Panama due to concerns about rising sea levels. Sea levels are rising rapidly, largely due to global warming, with vulnerable coastal areas and countries in the Global South being hit hardest.

Global sea level rise

• Since 1880global sea level has risen by approximately 21–24 centimeters and the rate of increase has accelerated significantly in recent decades.
• Global warming is a major cause, with the average temperature on Earth increasing by about 1 °C since 1880.

Causes of sea level rise

• Climate change: Climate change is causing polar ice caps and glaciers to continue to melt, increasing the amount of water in the oceans.
• Thermal expansion: When ocean water warms, it expands, causing sea levels to rise.
• Human activities: Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization and industrialization also contribute to climate change, ultimately leading to sea level rise.

Impact on island states

According to a 2022 According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, small islands are particularly vulnerable to these changes due to their low elevation and high dependence on marine resources, resulting in:

• Geographic impact: Many island nations could be submerged by rising sea levels, which would not only reduce their land area but also affect their national borders.
• Economic impact: Much of the economy of island states depends on tourism, fishing and agriculture. Sea level rise could harm these sectors and weaken their economic status.
• Social impact:
• Sea level rise may force people living on islands to leave their homes, increasing the number of environmental refugees.
• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati are experiencing some of the most dramatic impacts of rising sea levels. These islands face threats such as the loss of their land and culture.
• The residents of Guna Yala are known for their colorful molas.

  • Molas are intricately stitched garments that represent both artistic expression and cultural identity.

• Health effects:Flooding and mixing with salt water affect the quality of drinking water and increase the risk of water-borne diseases.
• Impact on biodiversity:
• Sea level rise can affect marine and coastal ecosystems and threaten local flora and fauna species.
• Rising sea levels, combined with storm surges and ‘king tides’ (the highest tide of the year at a coastal location) are causing coastal erosion, salinization of freshwater sources and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Suggestion

• Adaptation strategies: Strengthening coastal structures, improving water management systems and implementing technological measures to limit the consequences of sea level rise.
• Preventing global warming: Make global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the use of renewable energy sources and prevent deforestation.
• International cooperation: Providing financial and technical assistance to island states to enable them to cope with the consequences of sea level rise.

conclusion

Sea level rise is a serious problem that could have widespread and long-lasting consequences for island states. It is essential that the global community work together to find solutions to this problem and ensure the security and stability of island states.