Scientists warn that sea level rise and its associated wave-driven flooding will make most low-lying coral atoll islands across the globe uninhabitable as early as 2030.
A new study by researchers at the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Deltares Institute in the Netherlands and Hawaii University basing their research on the current greenhouse gas emission rates have projected that the nonlinear interactions between sea-level rise and wave dynamics over reefs will lead to the annual wave-driven overwash of most atoll islands by the mid-21st century. This annual flooding will result in the islands becoming uninhabitable because of frequent damage to infrastructure and contamination of fresh water sources by sea water. The freshwater aquifers will not be able to recover between the sea water flooding events.
This study provides critical information for understanding the timing and magnitude of climate change impacts on atoll islands that will result in significant, unavoidable geopolitical issues if it becomes necessary to abandon and relocate low-lying island states.
The authors say although the study was focussed on Roi-Namur Island on Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands, their findings have relevance to other atoll islands across the globe including the Caroline Islands, Cook Islands, Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Society Islands, Spratly Islands, Maldives, Seychelles, and North western Hawaiian Islands.
The James Michel Foundation takes the findings of this study very seriously and sees them as another opportunity to increase global awareness and encourage a concerted response to climate change.
The Executive Chairman of the foundation, former President of Seychelles, James Alix Michel says he remains convinced that Climate Change and the idea of Sustainability are inseparable. “That is why my Foundation continues to champion the implementation of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Promoting the adoption of renewable sources of energy and other sustainable practices will show what can be done now to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures and consequent conditions”.
