Environment

‘The question of climate change can only be dealt with if we act on the scientific evidence- and act rapidly and decisively to turn the tide. Saving islands, also means saving the planet.’

― James Michel, President of the Republic of the Seychelles

SIDS1 are in possession of some of the planet’s most unique and, unfortunately, vulnerable geographies. These vulnerabilities include fast moving natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, as well as slower-moving threats, such as rising sea levels, ocean acidification and saline intrusion.

The environment plays a pivotal role in most SIDS’ economies, for instance in the form of tourism, agriculture and fishing, among others. That makes preparation and mitigation measures for existing in an environmentally changing world especially crucial.

This chapter will discuss SIDS’ environments, including:

  1. Environment, describing SIDS’ lands, waters and the threats facing them as part of the global climate crisis.
  2. Plastics and SIDS’ challenges and opportunities in the plastic economy.
Notes
  1. Aggregates for SIDS and SIDS regions in this chapter refer to the analytical SIDS grouping, as detailed in What makes a SIDS a SIDS, unless otherwise specified.