Small island developing states (SIDS) are on the frontline of climate change AND sea-level rise. They feel the impacts first and most severely, yet they barely contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Not only are they vulnerable to devastating cyclones, which are becoming more frequent and extreme, but their dependence on food and energy imports, and tourism revenue, increase their vulnerability to external shocks
Environmentally, SIDS are characterized by fragile natural environments that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, sea level rise, storm surge, drought, and landslides. Their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is, on average, 30 times the country’s land mass, leading some to refer to SIDS as “large oceans.” For many SIDS, most of their natural resources come from the ocean.
While the total land area of SIDS is less than 0.5% of the world’s surface area, they are home to more than 20% of the world’s biodiversity, and 40% of the world’s coral reefs. Biodiversity sustains many people’s livelihoods, especially since the tourism and fisheries industries often constitute over half of the gross domestic product (GDP) of small island economies. For centuries, SIDS have benefitted from biodiversity for their food supply, clean water, reduced beach erosion, soil and sand formation, and protection from storm surges. Yet, their biodiversity is at risk from depleting fish stocks, coral bleaching, and pollution, among other threats.
Between 1850 and 2020, SIDS were responsible for just 0.02% of total CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, compared to 35% for the United States alone. Yet the endure some of the worst impacts of climate change. From 1970 to 2020, according to a recent UND Report, SIDS lost USD 153 billion due to weather, climate, and water-related hazards—a significant amount given that the average GDP for SIDS is USD 13.7 billion. For those SIDS whose land lies five meters or less above sea level, projected sea-level rise represents a direct threat to their very existence. Due to sea level rise, some SIDS may no longer exist by the turn of the century.
The Antigua SIDS 4 Conference AIMS to culminate in the adoption of a new 10-year plan for SIDS, 2024-2034. It should address the special challenges faced by the 57 SIDS from now till 2054, i.e. a 30 year plan.
In the priorities areas of natural resources management, tourism and transport, waste management, food/energy/resources self sufficiency and security from rivalry of big powers wanting to use our islands for military bases, among many others, HERE IS A RECOMMENDED NEW LIST OF PRIORITY AREAS AND SPECIFIC ACTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED at ANTIGUA:
climate change, global warming and sea-level rise;
natural and environmental disasters;
management of wastes;
coastal and marine resources;
freshwater resources, new technologies for desalination;
energy resources, including from tides and waves;
tourism, both in welcoming the rest of the world to our features AND new means of travel to and from SIDS; transport and communication;
biodiversity their protection and their rational uses for medical, food and other purposes;
national institutions and administrative capacity; defence from invasion/coertion by other powers for military bases, our marine and mineral resources etc;
technical cooperation at regional level, via regional seas commissions(such as the Indian Ocean Commission);
Permanent group of the 57 SIDS at the UN for consultations and taking position of such matters as nuclear war, climate, trade in vital equipment not manufactured in most SIDS, peaceful living;
EDUCATION, technical training and human resource development.
Dr Michael ATCHIA
(Past Programme Director, UNITED NATIONS)